UK Transfers Chagos Islands Sovereignty to Mauritius, Retains Diego Garcia Military Base

The United Kingdom has formally transferred sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, concluding a longstanding colonial dispute. Under the agreement signed on May 22, 2025, the UK retains a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, the site of a strategic joint US-UK military base.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the base's critical role in national security, stating it is "right at the foundation of our safety and security at home" and crucial for counterterrorism and intelligence operations.

The agreement includes annual payments of £101 million ($136 million) to Mauritius and provisions for a trust fund to assist displaced Chagossians. However, resettlement plans exclude Diego Garcia due to its military significance.

Despite initial support from the US, President Donald Trump later criticized the UK's decision, describing it as "an act of great stupidity" and expressing concerns over potential security implications.

The Chagos Islands have been under British control since 1814. In the 1960s and 70s, approximately 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed to facilitate the construction of the military base on Diego Garcia. The recent agreement aims to address historical grievances while maintaining strategic military operations in the region.