Former President Donald Trump has sharply criticized the United Kingdom’s recent deal to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Signed on May 22, 2025, the agreement comes after years of negotiations that started in 2022. Trump called the deal “great stupidity,” arguing that it undermines British interests. The UK will keep a military base on Diego Garcia for 99 years, with an option to extend it for another 40 years. The base is vital for military operations, and the UK has full control over its operations. The deal was initiated following a UN resolution that highlighted the need to address the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands. Under the deal, the UK will pay Mauritius an average annual rent of £101 million over the initial 99-year term. The total cost of the agreement, when calculated over its lifetime, is estimated to be £3.4 billion. Critics, including some members of the Conservative Party, worry about the financial implications and the UK’s decision to surrender territory. They also express concerns about Mauritius’s ties to countries like China and Russia. Additionally, the agreement has strategic importance as it serves as a critical logistics hub for UK and US military operations. The deal includes provisions for the Chagossians, the people originally displaced from the islands. It allows for their resettlement on outer islands but not on Diego Garcia itself. However, many Chagossians feel they were not adequately consulted during the negotiations. Legal challenges have already been initiated by two Chagossians, who claimed they were not properly involved in the discussions. Reactions to the deal are mixed. While some see it as a necessary step to comply with international law, others argue it could empower foreign powers in the region. Labour leader Keir Starmer believes the deal prevents Chinese military bases from opening in the area, while voices from Reform UK echo concerns about national security. As discussions continue, the implications of this agreement remain a hot topic in political circles.
