Mauritius Vows to Reclaim Chagos Islands After Collapse of UK Sovereignty Deal

Mauritius has pledged to intensify its fight for sovereignty over the Chagos Islands after a long-negotiated deal with the United Kingdom to return the territory collapsed amid geopolitical tensions.

The agreement, which would have seen Britain transfer control of the islands to Mauritius while leasing back the strategically important Diego Garcia military base for 99 years, has been put on hold following a lack of support from the United States.

Mauritian officials responded swiftly, vowing to pursue all diplomatic and legal avenues to reclaim the archipelago, which they argue was unlawfully separated from the country during colonial rule. The dispute over the islands has long been a symbol of unfinished decolonisation, with Mauritius maintaining that sovereignty rightfully belongs to it under international law.

The collapse of the deal is widely linked to opposition from  U.S. President Donald Trump, who criticised the agreement and withheld American backing, seen as essential due to the joint UK-US military presence on Diego Garcia. Without U.S. approval to adjust longstanding defence arrangements, the UK was unable to move forward with the legislation required to finalise the transfer.

The Chagos Islands have been under British control since the 19th century but were separated from Mauritius in 1965, shortly before the latter gained independence. In 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled that the UK’s continued administration of the territory was unlawful and called for its return to Mauritius, a position supported by the United Nations.

Despite the legal backing, the issue remains entangled in strategic concerns. Diego Garcia hosts a critical military base used by both the UK and the US for operations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Western officials view the base as vital to global security, complicating efforts to resolve the sovereignty dispute.

The now-stalled deal had been seen as a compromise, allowing Mauritius to regain sovereignty while ensuring continued Western military access.

Mauritius has indicated it will not abandon its claim, signalling a renewed push on the international stage. Future negotiations between the UK, Mauritius, and the United States remain possible, but for now, the fate of the Chagos Islands—and the broader question of decolonisation—remains unresolved.