Story perspectives

UK Launches Review of Chagos Sovereignty Transfer to Mauritius

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 12:22 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The UK announced a review of the Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer to Mauritius on September 23, 2026.
The review follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s opposition to the deal.
The treaty kept a 99-year Diego Garcia lease and £101 million annual payments to Mauritius.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK will work with Mauritius and the US on a Diego Garcia solution.

History

Historical Context

In 1965 the UK detached the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius, creating the British Indian Ocean Territory; a 1971 treaty then leased Diego Garcia to the United States for a military base. International courts ruled the detachment illegal (ICJ advisory opinion 2019, UNGA resolution 2019). A 2025 treaty aims to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while keeping a 99-year lease on the base, prompting a UK review.

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Story summary

The UK announced a review of the Chagos Islands sovereignty transfer to Mauritius on September 23, 2026.
The review follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s opposition to the deal.
The treaty kept a 99-year Diego Garcia lease and £101 million annual payments to Mauritius.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK will work with Mauritius and the US on a Diego Garcia solution.

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