Summary
The UK plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius in a deal valued at £3.4 billion ($4.6 billion), which includes a long-term lease for the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia. President Donald Trump criticized this move, calling it an "act of GREAT STUPIDITY," despite previously endorsing the agreement. The deal is still awaiting approval from the UK Parliament, so the Chagos Islands remain under British control.
Key Facts
- The UK has agreed to give the Chagos Islands' sovereignty to Mauritius while leasing back Diego Garcia for 99 years.
- The lease agreement costs the UK an average of £101 million per year.
- Diego Garcia has hosted a UK-US military base since the 1970s.
- President Trump initially supported the UK's Chagos Islands deal but later criticized it.
- Mauritius claims the Chagos Islands were illegally taken from them in 1965 during the independence process.
- The UK will create a trust fund of £40 million to support people originally from the Chagos Islands, known as Chagossians.
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasizes the strategic importance of Diego Garcia.
- Mauritius cannot resettle the island of Diego Garcia under the current deal.
