In a surprising turn of events, former US President Donald Trump has criticised the UK government’s plan to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, labelling it an act of “great stupidity”. The deal, which was publicly welcomed by the US and other key allies, is currently in its final stages in the UK parliament.
The agreement, announced last year, will see the UK retain control of the strategically important military base on the island of Diego Garcia, while transferring sovereignty of the wider Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. In return, the UK has been promised a 99-year lease on the base, with an average annual fee of £101 million.
The Chagos Islands have been governed by the UK as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) since 1814. In 1965, the islands were detached from Mauritius for joint defence purposes, leading to the forced removal of the native Chagosian population.
The deal has been described by the UK government as “absolutely vital” for the “safety and security of the British people”, as it will guarantee the long-term operation of the Diego Garcia base and prevent future legal challenges that could undermine the UK’s position.
However, Trump has now weighed in, stating that there is “no reason whatsoever” for the deal to be struck and that it is “another” national security reason why Greenland should be acquired by the US. The former president’s comments are likely to have blindsided the UK government, given his previous support for the Chagos agreement.
In response, a government spokesperson has insisted that the UK will “never compromise on our national security” and that the deal “secures the operations of the joint US-UK base on Diego Garcia for generations, with robust provisions for keeping its unique capabilities intact and our adversaries out.”
The Chagos Islands deal has been a long-standing issue, with the UK’s sovereignty over the territory challenged by international law and the Chagosian community. The agreement with Mauritius is seen as a way to address these concerns and ensure the continued operation of the strategically important military base on Diego Garcia.