What is in the Chagos Islands deal criticised by Donald Trump
The US president has again spoken about the deal to hand over the Indian Ocean islands to Mauritius, saying UK should not lose control by entering a "tenuous" 100-year lease.
news.sky.comHere are the latest developments on the Chagos Islands, based on recent reporting:
- UK–Mauritius deal developments: In early 2026, coverage highlighted ongoing controversies around plans to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back the Diego Garcia base. Several outlets discuss legal and diplomatic tensions, with critics arguing the agreement undercuts Chagossian rights and sovereignty debates.[6][7][9]
- Legal and sovereignty actions: Reports note ongoing legal challenges and protests regarding the sovereignty dispute, including actions by Chagos islanders and international commentary on the arrangements.[2][7][9]
- On-the-ground actions: There were recent demonstrations and landings by Chagos islanders on outer atolls, described as efforts to influence or complicate the settlement process with Mauritius, attracting international media attention.[8][10]
If you’d like, I can pull one or two of these articles for a deeper summary of what happened, the parties involved, and the potential implications for residents and regional stability. I can also set up a quick briefing with a timeline of key events over the last six months.
Citations:
- Sky News on the overturning of a ban and BIOT legal context.[2]
- GB News coverage of sovereignty and the deal implications.[4]
- BBC overview of deal progress and related protests.[6]
- Reuters reports on landings and related protests.[10][8]
- NewsNow aggregation of Chagos Islands coverage.[9]