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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Eleni Courea Political correspondent

Donald Trump signs off UK’s handover of Chagos Islands to Mauritius

An aerial view of Diego Garcia amid the dark blue Indian Ocean
The UK will pay to maintain a joint US-UK military base on Diego Garcia, the largest island in the Chagos archipelago. Photograph: AP

Donald Trump has signed off the UK’s handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, Downing Street has indicated, paving the way for the UK to cede sovereignty over its last African colony after a six-month standoff.

Under the terms of the deal, the UK will give up control of the Chagos archipelago while paying to maintain control of a joint US-UK military base on the largest island, Diego Garcia, under a 99-year lease.

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