UK Shelves Chagos Islands Handover After Trump Calls Deal Stupid

Britain shelved its plan to hand back the Chagos Islands after Trump withdrew support.

The islands host the strategic Diego Garcia US-UK military base.

Africanews

Prime Minister Starmer's government stood by the deal but acknowledged it could not proceed without Trump's backing.

Legislation had run out of time in parliament and a new bill was not expected.

The deal would have seen Britain hand sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia.

Trump had initially endorsed the deal but launched a scathing attack in January.

Diego Garcia is a key strategic military asset for both the UK and the US.

The base has supported operations from Vietnam to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Al Jazeera

The International Court of Justice recommended Britain hand the archipelago to Mauritius in 2019.

The UK has retained control since 1814, evicting about 2,000 inhabitants after Mauritius gained independence.

An estimated 10,000 displaced Chagossians now live primarily in Britain, Mauritius and the Seychelles.

The deal has been heavily criticized by the UK opposition.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said it should find its rightful place on the ash heap of history.

Nigel Farage welcomed Trump's opposition.

Reform's Robert Jenrick called it a great victory.

The government will not proceed without US support.

Mauritius defended the agreement, saying sovereignty is unambiguously recognized by international law.

The deal had been welcomed by the Five Eyes allies and key international partners.

BBC

Trump’s reversal came despite the call for dialogue on Greenland issued by Starmer.

The relationship between the US and UK has been under diplomatic strain.