Chagos islanders ask Donald Trump to block UK–Mauritius sovereignty deal

Chagos islanders' leadership has written to US President Donald Trump asking him to block a UK proposal to transfer sovereignty over the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius, saying the move would risk the Diego Garcia military base. Parliament is due to vote on the treaty on Monday.

Chagos islanders' leadership has sent a letter asking US President Donald Trump to intervene against a UK plan to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos archipelago to Mauritius. Islander leaders say the proposed agreement would put the Diego Garcia UK–US military base at risk and could close the door on their return. The treaty is due for a parliamentary vote on Monday. Key points: - The letter was written by Misley Mandarin, First Minister of the Chagossian government-in-exile, and asks the US president to block the deal. - Islander representatives say the proposal could give another power political leverage over the Diego Garcia base and affect the prospect of Chagossians returning home. - The UK government has proposed payments totalling around £30 billion to Mauritius and arrangements that include a long lease on Diego Garcia; Parliament will vote on the treaty on Monday. Summary: The parliamentary vote on Monday will determine whether the sovereignty transfer proceeds. Ministers have said the deal is intended to secure the future of the base, while islander leaders and some critics say it poses risks for the base and for the Chagossian community. The immediate next formal step is the scheduled vote in Parliament.