Key Points:

• The UK is finalizing a deal to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
• Donald Trump has approved the proposed agreement, facilitating the transfer while allowing the UK to lease back Diego Garcia for 99 years.
• The deal has faced criticism, particularly regarding its financial implications and concerns over US national security.
• Chagossian residents remain apprehensive about their rights and potential resettlement under the new governance.

The UK government is making significant strides to finalize a deal concerning the Chagos Islands, potentially returning sovereignty to Mauritius while maintaining strategic control over Diego Garcia, a vital military base. This development comes following Trump's approval of the proposed agreement, confirming that no further approvals from the US are necessary.

As stated by a spokesperson from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, "We are now working with the Mauritian government to finalize the deal and sign the treaty," as reported by LA Times. Following initial discussions that began last October, the agreement stipulates that Britain will lease Diego Garcia back for an initial period of 99 years, with an option for a 40-year extension.

Concerns have arisen from conservative circles within the UK and US regarding the implications of the transfer. Critics, including former Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have warned that the deal could enhance China’s influence in the Indian Ocean region, posing risks to US national security. Despite these criticisms, Trump indicated a willingness to support the agreement, stating, "I have a feeling it’s going to work out very well," during a meeting with Starmer earlier this year, further noted in Africanews.

Since the 1960s, the British government has been embroiled in controversy over the islands, forcibly removing around 2,000 residents to make way for the US military base. Although the draft deal includes provisions for a resettlement fund to aid displaced islanders in returning, many remain skeptical about the implementation of such measures. Chagossian advocates, including residents like Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, have expressed fears about their future status once the islands are officially under Mauritian control.

The recent discussions emphasize Britain's past colonial ties with Mauritius and the increasing pressure from international entities, including the United Nations, to resolve the longstanding territorial dispute. As negotiations reach their completion, the implications of this sovereignty transfer will be closely monitored by all parties involved.

For further details, visit the original articles from Africanews, India Times, and LA Times.