Chagos Islands: A Geopolitical Hotspot
World leaders are grappling with a new wave of geopolitical complexities, and the Chagos Islands are at the center of a brewing controversy. Former US President Donald Trump has dramatically reversed his stance on the UK’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, labeling the deal an “act of GREAT STUPIDITY.” This unexpected intervention throws the future of the strategically vital territory, and particularly the Diego Garcia military base, into question.
Trump’s Shocking Reversal
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed outrage over the UK’s plan to hand over sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining a 99-year lease for the US military base on Diego Garcia. He argued that the deal signals weakness and will be noticed by international powers like China and Russia. This is a stark contrast to his previous support for the agreement, where he publicly endorsed it during a visit to the Oval Office with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump wrote: “Shockingly, our “brilliant” NATO Ally, the United Kingdom, is currently planning to give away the Island of Diego Garcia, the site of a vital U.S. Military Base, to Mauritius, and to do so FOR NO REASON WHATSOEVER.”
The UK-Mauritius Deal: A Complex Arrangement
The agreement, signed in May 2025, aims to resolve a decades-long dispute over the Chagos Islands, which were separated from Mauritius in 1965. Mauritius has long argued that the separation was illegal and a condition imposed upon its independence. The deal allows the UK to lease the Diego Garcia base for 99 years, with an option for a 40-year extension, at an estimated cost of £101 million per year. The UK maintains that the deal was necessary to secure the future of the base after legal challenges threatened its viability.
Why Diego Garcia Matters
Diego Garcia is a strategically important military base for both the UK and the US, playing a crucial role in regional security and power projection. Its location in the Indian Ocean makes it a vital asset for monitoring maritime activity and responding to crises. The base has been used in numerous military operations, including the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Council on Foreign Relations provides further insight into the base’s strategic importance.
Political Fallout and Reactions
Trump’s comments have sparked a political firestorm. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey criticized Starmer’s approach to Trump, arguing that the Chagos deal was sold as proof of the government’s ability to work with the US president, but is now falling apart. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described the deal as “complete self-sabotage” and sided with Trump’s assessment.
The Mauritian government, which is set to gain sovereignty over the islands, has yet to comment on Trump’s intervention. However, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam previously hailed the deal as a “great victory for the Mauritian nation” and a final step in the country’s decolonization process.
A UK government spokesperson defended the deal, stating that it secures the long-term future of the Diego Garcia base and has been welcomed by the US, Australia, and other key allies. They emphasized that the deal was necessary due to legal challenges that threatened the base’s operation.
The Future of the Chagos Islands
The situation remains fluid and uncertain. Trump’s unexpected reversal adds a new layer of complexity to an already delicate geopolitical issue. The UK government is now facing pressure from both sides of the Atlantic, and the future of the Chagos Islands hangs in the balance. The deal still requires ratification by the UK Parliament, and its fate is now more uncertain than ever.
This developing story will continue to be monitored for further updates.
