Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Mauritius Threatens Legal Action as Chagos Islands Deal Stalls
Mauritius and the United Kingdom made a plan to change who owns the Chagos Islands.
The plan would give sovereignty to Mauritius while allowing Britain to keep using the military base on Diego Garcia for 99 years.
Mauritius's leader says the country's claim to the islands cannot be negotiated away.
He warned that Mauritius may take the UK to court if the delay continues.
The agreement has not moved forward because Donald Trump has raised concerns about the base's security.
The UK says any deal must protect the base and have US support.
The pause is also putting financial pressure on Mauritius, which had expected money under the agreement.
The two governments say they are still seeking a way to resolve the dispute.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam told UK national security adviser Jonathan Powell that Mauritius's sovereignty claim was “not negotiable.”
Ramgoolam warned that Mauritius could pursue legal action if the deadlock over the Chagos Islands deal is not resolved quickly.
US President Donald Trump has opposed the agreement, citing security concerns about the joint UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.
Legislation to implement the treaty has been paused, despite last year's agreement to transfer sovereignty to Mauritius while Britain retains access to Diego Garcia for 99 years.
The delay has contributed to financial pressure in Mauritius, which reportedly faces a £165 million budget deficit and had expected its first payment at the end of 2025.
- Who
- Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and the UK government, with US President Donald Trump opposing the deal.
- What
- Mauritius has threatened legal action over delays to a treaty transferring sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
- When
- Ramgoolam raised the threat during a meeting in London last week; the treaty was agreed last year, and Mauritius expected its first payment at the end of 2025.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean, including Diego Garcia; Ramgoolam raised the issue in London.
- Why
- The treaty's implementation is stalled, with Trump raising security concerns about the Diego Garcia base and Mauritius reporting financial pressure.
Support for the agreement
Opposition and concerns
Sovereignty and treaty
Support for the agreement
Mauritius says its sovereignty claim is not negotiable and has warned it may pursue legal action over the delay.
Opposition and concerns
Conservatives oppose the handover, describing it as a surrender of British territory; Priti Patel argued the treaty should be abandoned.
Military base and security
Support for the agreement
The UK government says the agreement would preserve access to Diego Garcia for 99 years and that it is seeking a diplomatic resolution.
Opposition and concerns
Trump has called the deal a mistake and raised concerns about the security of the joint UK-US base; the UK says a deal must have US support.
- Proposed sovereignty transfer
- The agreement would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
- Diego Garcia arrangement
- The UK would retain access to Diego Garcia under a 99-year arrangement.
- US position
- Donald Trump has opposed the agreement, raising security concerns about the military base.
- Implementation status
- Legislation required to implement the treaty has been paused.
- Mauritius's legal warning
- Ramgoolam said Mauritius was prepared to take the legal route if the deadlock was not resolved expeditiously.
- Reported budget deficit
- Mauritius faces a reported budget deficit of £165 million.
- Expected first payment
- Mauritius had expected its first payment under the agreement at the end of 2025.