Trump Reverses US Position on Chagos Islands Sovereignty Deal
In a significant policy reversal, US President Donald Trump has withdrawn American support for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius. Trump labeled the deal a "big mistake" and dismissed claims related to the islands as "fictitious," marking a sharp departure from the US State Department's earlier endorsement.
Trump's Social Media Critique and Strategic Concerns
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump criticized the 99-year lease negotiated by Starmer for Diego Garcia, the largest island in the archipelago, which hosts a critical joint UK-US military base. He described the lease as "tenuous, at best" and emphasized that the land should not be taken away from the UK, a key ally. Trump highlighted the base's strategic value, noting its potential use in a conflict with Iran, and urged the UK to "remain strong in the face of Wokeism" and not relinquish Diego Garcia.
Contrast with US State Department and Recent Developments
This stance directly contradicts a statement issued by the US State Department on Tuesday, which expressed support for the UK's decision to proceed with the agreement with Mauritius concerning the Chagos archipelago. The reversal comes amid heightened tensions, as four Chagossians, including government-in-exile First Minister Misley Mandarin and his father Michel Mandarin, landed on the islands via rubber dinghy on Monday with plans to settle there. Michel Mandarin, born on the island, was forcibly removed at age 14 during the UK's displacement of Chagossians between 1968 and 1973, a move requested by the US to establish the military base.
British Response and Legal Standoff
On Wednesday, a British patrol boat arrived, and officials served the men, accompanied by former Tory MP Adam Holloway, an eviction notice threatening prison or a £3,000 fine. The Chagossians vowed to remain, with Misley Mandarin declaring that British authorities would have to "kill" him to remove him. An FCDO spokesperson stated that there is no legal right for anyone to enter the territory without a valid permit, regardless of citizenship or heritage, and called the landing an "illegal unsafe stunt." The spokesperson added that the UK is working with Mauritius to resume heritage visits for Chagossians while indicating that Starmer intends to push forward with the deal, viewing it as essential for securing the long-term future of the Diego Garcia military base.
