Overview
- Mauritian Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said his government is exploring legal avenues and has begun consulting international law firms over delays to the sovereignty-transfer deal.
- The May 2025 treaty has still not entered into force, with Mauritius saying there is 'no visibility' on when ratification will occur.
- President Donald Trump’s public objections have left the plan in limbo, and the UK cannot finalize any transfer without U.S. consent under the 1966 base agreement.
- After initially declining access, the UK authorized only limited defensive use of Diego Garcia and other bases for U.S. operations against Iranian missile assets, as Mauritius called for an immediate ceasefire and questioned the strikes’ legality.
- A group of Chagossians remains on an island under a court injunction, and Nigel Farage plans to press Trump in person at Mar-a-Lago to oppose the handover.