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UK Halts Chagos Islands Transfer to Mauritius Amid U.S. Concerns

4/16/2026

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Mauritius Pursues Sovereignty

The British government decided not to advance legislation transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, halting the deal.
The pause follows a lack of formal U.S. approval, with U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing the agreement.
Dhananjay Ramful, Mauritius Foreign Minister, pledges to continue pursuing the matter, calling the pause a decolonization setback.
The Chagossian community remains divided, while British officials say the deal could be revisited if U.S. support returns.

Right

Starmer Faces Allegations

The United Nations is reviewing a complaint against U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's government alleging crimes against humanity over Chagossian treatment, filed by attorney general James Tumbridge.
The complaint cites the removal of four individuals from Diego Garcia and warns this could force depopulation of the Chagos Islands.
Meanwhile, the UK weighs transferring sovereignty to Mauritius, following the 2019 ICJ opinion, but has paused legislation amid political disagreements.

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Mauritius Pursues Sovereignty

The British government decided not to advance legislation transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, halting the deal.
The pause follows a lack of formal U.S. approval, with U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing the agreement.
Dhananjay Ramful, Mauritius Foreign Minister, pledges to continue pursuing the matter, calling the pause a decolonization setback.
The Chagossian community remains divided, while British officials say the deal could be revisited if U.S. support returns.

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