Washington – A decades-long dispute over the Chagos Islands took a sharp turn Friday as former U.S. President Donald Trump reversed his recent opposition to a deal transferring the islands’ sovereignty from the United Kingdom to Mauritius [[1]]. The islands, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, are home to the vital Diego Garcia airbase, jointly operated by the U.S. and UK,and this agreement follows years of international pressure and claims of indigenous populations displaced by the UK’s establishment of the territory [[2]]. While the U.S. maintains a 99-year lease on the base, Trump has reserved the right to reinforce the american presence should the agreement jeopardize U.S. interests [[1]].
法新社
Washington – U.S. President Donald Trump has dropped his previous objections to a deal that would transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean from the United Kingdom to Mauritius. The islands are home to Diego Garcia, a strategically vital joint U.S.-UK airbase.
The shift in position came after a phone conversation between Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, though the former president issued a warning via his social media platform, “Truth Social,” stating he reserves the right to “ensure and strengthen” the U.S. presence at Diego Garcia should the agreement falter or U.S. facilities be threatened.
Under a deal reached in May of last year, the UK agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, while the base operated jointly by U.S. and British forces would remain under a 99-year lease.
Trump initially supported the agreement but reversed course last month.
On January 20, Trump described the UK’s potential relinquishing of the territory as “a very foolish move,” and used the occasion to reiterate the U.S. need to acquire Greenland, a Danish autonomous territory, citing national security concerns.
Trump said Friday that Starmer had made “the best deal he could” regarding the Chagos Islands.
“However, if the lease breaks down at some point in the future, or anyone threatens or endangers our military operations and forces on the base, I reserve the right to ensure and strengthen the U.S. presence at Diego Garcia by any means necessary,” Trump stated.
The British Prime Minister’s office said that during the call, Starmer and Trump agreed to work together “closely” to implement the Chagos Islands agreement.
