LONDON, 22 May 2025 — The UK government has been temporarily barred from signing a sovereignty agreement over the Chagos Islands with Mauritius, following a late-night injunction granted by the High Court.
At 2:25 AM BST, Mr Justice Goose approved “interim relief” for two Chagossian women—Bernadette Dugasse and Bertice Pompe—who filed a legal challenge against the Foreign Office. The court decision halts the expected virtual signing ceremony between UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Mauritian officials, originally planned for Thursday morning.
Controversial Deal Put on Hold
The proposed agreement would see the UK transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius. However, the UK and the United States would retain rights to operate a joint military base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the islands, for an initial period of 99 years.
While financial details have not been officially disclosed, the deal is anticipated to cost British taxpayers several billion pounds.
In response to the injunction, a government spokesperson declined to comment on ongoing legal proceedings, adding only, “This deal is the right thing to protect the British people and our national security.”
Mauritius Attorney General Gavin Glover also refrained from public comment, citing the pending hearing that began at 10:30 AM.
Chagossians Demand a Say
The legal action comes amid rising frustration among Chagossian communities, many of whom were displaced from the islands during the 1960s and 1970s. Under both the existing and proposed arrangements, displaced islanders remain barred from returning to Diego Garcia.
“This is a continuation of their terrible treatment by the authorities in the past,” said the women’s lawyer, Michael Polak. “They remain the people with the closest connection to the islands, but their needs and wishes are being ignored.”
Following a meeting with Foreign Secretary David Lammy and minister Stephen Doughty, Chagossian activist Jemmy Simon described the proposed deal as deeply disappointing. “I’m beyond horrified and angry right now,” she said.
Others echoed her concerns. Mylene Augustin, a UK-based Chagossian, said the lack of consultation was unacceptable. “This is my heritage,” she said. “We need to have our self-determination. We need to have our rights.”
Historical and Geopolitical Context
The Chagos Archipelago was separated from Mauritius in 1965 as part of a deal preceding Mauritian independence. The UK purchased the islands for £3 million, though Mauritius claims it was coerced into the sale. In subsequent years, thousands of Chagossians were forcibly removed from the islands to make way for a U.S. military installation.
International pressure on the UK to return the islands has grown in recent years, with both the United Nations General Assembly and the International Court of Justice supporting Mauritius’ claim.
The Labour government resumed negotiations after taking office in 2024, arguing that unresolved sovereignty questions posed risks to UK and U.S. defense interests.
Political Fallout
The injunction has sparked strong political reactions. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel called the halted agreement “bad for our defence and security interests, bad for British taxpayers, and bad for British Chagossians.”
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized the government’s persistence with the deal, citing its estimated £52 billion cost and potential geopolitical consequences. “Why is Starmer so desperate to give away the islands?” he said.
For now, the future of the Chagos Islands remains uncertain as legal proceedings continue and political pressure mounts from multiple fronts.
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