UK Court Blocks Chagos Islands Handover in Last-Minute Legal Setback

A UK High Court judge has temporarily blocked the British government’s deal to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The deal, which was announced in October 2024, would have ceded control of the islands, except for Diego Garcia, which hosts a U.S. military base. In exchange, Mauritius was set to receive a £3 billion payment and a 99-year lease for the continued British control of Diego Garcia. However, this agreement was put on hold after legal action from Chagossian activists.

The activists, including Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, argue that the deal was made without sufficient consultation with the displaced Chagossian community. Many Chagossians, who were forcibly removed from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s, oppose the transfer of sovereignty, citing concerns over their right to return and the lack of meaningful involvement in the negotiation process. The legal challenge has sparked widespread debate over the handling of the Chagos Islands issue and the rights of the people affected by the historic displacement.

While the UK government defends the deal as crucial for national security, particularly for the continued operation of the Diego Garcia military base, critics argue that it perpetuates colonial-era injustices. They contend that the agreement fails to address the rights and aspirations of the Chagossian people. The High Court will continue to consider the case, and its ruling could have significant implications for the future of the Chagos Islands and the displaced community.