UK Awaits Trump’s Approval for Chagos Islands Deal with Mauritius – Africa.com
The UK has delayed finalizing the Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius until it is approved by US President-elect Donald Trump. The focus of the negotiations is a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia, a strategic U.S. and British military base in the Indian Ocean. Although British officials had originally hoped to reach the agreement before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the British government has now decided to seek Trump’s approval before reaching an agreement. Trump’s advisers had earlier expressed concerns about the deal, saying it could bolster China’s influence in the Indian Ocean. In the meantime, the Mauritian government will discuss the proposals. Recently re-elected Prime Minister Naveen Ramgoolam has raised objections to the deal struck by his predecessor, triggering renegotiations. Despite U.S. support from the Biden administration, the deal’s future depends on Trump’s approval, reflecting the geopolitical importance of Diego Garcia.
source: financial times
