Sigma Live

Britain Halts Process of Ceding Chagos to Mauritius

Published February 25, 2026, 17:13
Britain Halts Process of Ceding Chagos to Mauritius

Britain has halted the process of ratifying the agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, under pressure from the Trump administration. The agreement includes the transfer of sovereignty to Mauritius, while maintaining British control of Diego Garcia Island, where a major US military base is located. Donald Trump had criticized the agreement, calling it a "big mistake." The ratification process was halted after talks between Britain and the United States. The British decision raises concerns about the future of the Chagos Archipelago and the relations between Britain, the US and Mauritius. The Chagos case is a long-standing dispute, with Mauritius claiming the return of the islands.