The British government has handed control of the strategically significant Chagos Islands to Mauritius, after the controversial, multi-billion pound move survived an eleventh-hour legal challenge and months of criticism on both sides of the Atlantic.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Thursday that the islands will return to the African country, closing Britain’s last colonial outpost on the continent while maintaining control of the US-UK Diego Garcia military base.
Britain will pay £101 million ($135 million) a year as part of the package, for a total cost of £3.4 billion ($4.5 bn), Starmer said.
It comes after a High Court judge briefly blocked the transfer on Thursday, following a challenge by two Chagossian women living in Britain who had opposed the deal on human rights grounds.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed on Thursday that the islands will return to the African country, closing Britain’s last colonial outpost on the continent while maintaining control of the US-UK Diego Garcia military base.
Britain will pay £101 million ($135 million) a year as part of the package, for a total cost of £3.4 billion ($4.5 bn), Starmer said.
It comes after a High Court judge briefly blocked the transfer on Thursday, following a challenge by two Chagossian women living in Britain who had opposed the deal on human rights grounds.
9 days ago
