Chagos Islands deal halted by court injunction

The government of the United Kingdom faces a significant setback in its negotiations regarding the Chagos Islands, following a last-minute injunction issued by a High Court judge. This ruling prohibits the conclusion of talks related to the controversial deal, which would transfer the islands to Mauritius while allowing continued military use by the UK and the United States.

At 02:25 BST, Mr. Justice Goose granted what is termed "interim relief" to two Chagossian women, Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrie Pompe, who filed a case against the Foreign Office. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was scheduled to participate in a virtual signing ceremony with Mauritian representatives on Thursday morning, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

The proposed agreement involves the UK ceding the Chagos Islands, located in the Indian Ocean, to Mauritius. However, it would simultaneously ensure that both the UK and US maintain operational control over a military base situated on the archipelago for an initial duration of 99 years. The financial implications for British taxpayers remain unclear, but estimates suggest that the payments could total in the billions.

In response to the court's injunction, a government spokesperson stated, "We do not comment on ongoing legal cases. This deal is the right thing to protect the British people and our national security." The court is set to reconvene at 10:30 on Thursday to further address the matter.

In his early-morning order, Justice Goose emphasized that the defendant should not take any conclusive steps regarding the transfer of the British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Archipelago, to a foreign government. The judge mandated that the UK retain jurisdiction over the territory until further notice.

The legal action brought forth by Dugasse and Pompe highlights longstanding grievances among the Chagossian people, who argue that their voices have been consistently marginalized in decisions affecting their homeland. Their attorney, Michael Polak, criticized the government's approach, asserting that it reflects a pattern of neglect toward the Chagossian community.

The Chagos Archipelago was detached from Mauritius in 1965, during a period when the latter was still under British colonial rule. Britain acquired the islands for £3 million; however, Mauritius contends that it was coerced into relinquishing control in exchange for independence. In the late 1960s, the UK permitted the US to establish a military base on Diego Garcia, leading to the forced removal of thousands of Chagossians from their homes. An immigration order issued in 1971 has since barred these islanders from returning.

In recent years, international pressure has mounted on the UK to restore sovereignty over the islands to Mauritius, with both the United Nations’ top court and general assembly supporting Mauritius’ claims. Negotiations regarding control of the territory were initiated by the previous Conservative government in late 2022 but remained unresolved at the time of the 2024 general election.