Mauritius has faced a significant setback after a British High Court temporarily blocked the United Kingdom from transferring sovereignty over the Chagos Islands. The court issued an injunction just hours before the planned agreement was due to be signed on Thursday.
The UK had agreed to return control of the strategically important Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius. The islands, including Diego Garcia—home to a vital naval and bomber base—were set to be handed back, while the UK would retain use of the military base under a lease lasting at least 99 years.
The United States, which relies heavily on the Diego Garcia base, was consulted during negotiations and approved the agreement. However, finalizing the deal was delayed due to last-minute discussions over financial terms.
Mauritian officials anticipated formalizing the transfer during a virtual ceremony on Thursday morning, marking a major step toward reclaiming territory separated from the country decades ago.
The High Court’s injunction followed a legal challenge from two of the original island residents. These displaced Chagos islanders, many of whom relocated to Britain after being forced off their homeland in the 1960s and 70s to make way for the military base, argued they were not consulted about the sovereignty transfer.
For Mauritius, which has long maintained that the Chagos Islands are an integral part of its territory, the court ruling presents a serious obstacle. It underscores the ongoing challenges in addressing historical grievances, balancing strategic military interests, and ensuring the voices of displaced islanders are heard in the dispute over the future of the islands.