High Court Halts UK-Mauritius Deal Over Chagos Islands Amid Legal Challenge

Mace | 22nd May 2025 | Diplomacy, Embassy News, International

London,,Uk.,October,3,,2023.,British,Indian,Ocean,Territory,Flag

A High Court injunction has blocked the UK from finalising a sovereignty deal to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. The legal challenge, filed by a Chagossian-born British citizen, raises concerns over lack of consultation. The planned deal would retain the UK-US base on Diego Garcia for 99 years.

The United Kingdom's plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been temporarily halted by a High Court injunction. The injunction was granted at 02:25 BST by Mr Justice Julian Goose, following an application from Bertrice Pompe, a British woman born on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago. The court order prevents the UK government from taking any legally binding steps to conclude negotiations concerning the possible transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory until further notice. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had been scheduled to participate in a virtual signing ceremony with Mauritian representatives on Thursday morning. The proposed agreement would see the UK hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while allowing the UK and US to continue operating a military base on Diego Garcia for an initial period of 99 years. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but it is anticipated that the cost to British taxpayers will am...

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