Full Breakdown
Stalled Chagos Islands Transfer Threatens Future of Diego Garcia Base
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: US Opposition Halts UK-Mauritius Sovereignty Deal
The United Kingdom’s plan to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia has been placed on hold because U.S. President Donald Trump has refused to support the agreement. Trump called the deal “terrible” during a meeting with Prime Minister Andy Burnham at the United Nations General Assembly, and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that payments to Mauritius are suspended until American backing is secured.
Background & Context
In May 2025 the UK signed a treaty to transfer the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius while preserving a 99-year lease for the Diego Garcia base. The arrangement was meant to settle a dispute highlighted by a 2019 International Court of Justice advisory ruling that affirmed Mauritius’s claim. The base, home to roughly 2,500 personnel, is described by the United States as “an all-but indispensable platform” for operations across the Middle East, South Asia and East Africa.
Timeline
- 2025 – Treaty signed to transfer sovereignty and retain the base under a 99-year lease.
- April 2024 – Agreement paused after the United States withdrew support.
- September 21 2026 – Burnham met Trump at the UN; Trump reiterated opposition, and Burnham said the UK would work with Mauritius and the United States to find a resolution.
Data & Statistics
- Financial terms: £165 million per year for the first three years, falling to £120 million annually thereafter. Some reports cite an average of £101 million, indicating a discrepancy.
- Lease duration: 99 years for the joint base.
- Strategic value: Approximately 2,500 mainly American service members are stationed on Diego Garcia, supporting operations from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain remains “determined to find a resolution” and will continue to work with both Mauritius and the United States. The legislation required to enact the handover has not yet completed its passage through Parliament.
Criticism & Opposition
Conservative defence spokesperson James Cartlidge argued the agreement should be “binned entirely,” while Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, declared the deal “dead,” expressing relief that the United Kingdom would retain the territory.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact annual payment amount: the treaty text specifies £165 million for three years then £120 million, while other outlets report an average of £101 million per year. No public figure has clarified which figure will apply once the deal is revived.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This deal as it is currently constituted can’t go ahead without American support,” — Wes Streeting, defence secretary
- “I don’t support it. I think it’s terrible,” — Donald Trump
What’s Next
Until U.S. support is secured and the parliamentary bill is passed, the annual payments to Mauritius remain suspended and the future of the Diego Garcia lease remains uncertain.