Mauritius has renewed its campaign to regain sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, with Foreign Minister Dhananjay Ramful declaring that the country will pursue every diplomatic and legal avenue to complete the long‑running decolonisation process. His comments follow signals from the UK that it may halt plans to return the islands unless the United States backs the agreement.
Speaking at the Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, Ramful said the issue was one of “justice,” stressing that the government would not step back from its claim. His remarks come after US President Donald Trump criticised the proposed handover, calling it “an act of great stupidity.”
Downing Street later confirmed that the deal would only proceed “if it has US support,” amid reports that the legislation required to formalise the transfer may run out of parliamentary time. Mauritius Attorney General Gavin Glover said the development was unsurprising, attributing it to strained relations between Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He added that progress depended on the US and Britain reaching an agreement.
Mauritius is scheduled to meet UK officials on April 22 to discuss the future of the archipelago.
The Chagos Islands including the strategically vital Diego Garcia, home to a major US‑UK military base were purchased by Britain in 1965, three years before Mauritius gained independence. The local population was subsequently expelled, and the territory was leased to the United States. The UN ruled in 2019 that the UK should return the islands to Mauritius, but the process has been repeatedly delayed.
With geopolitical tensions rising and Washington’s position now central to the outcome, the future of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain.
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