UK Foreign Office Minister Announces Halt to Chagos Islands Sovereignty Treaty with Mauritius

# UK Halts Chagos Islands Sovereignty Treaty Process Stephen Doughty, a Foreign Office minister, stated that the treaty over ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has become impossible to agree at the political level. He told the Commons that the bill corresponding to the treaty will not complete its passage through parliament.

The treaty concerns ceding sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Initial Negotiations Involved US Coordination Doughty stated that the agreement with Mauritius was initially negotiated in close coordination with the US.

This coordination occurred prior to the current political impasse.

Change in US Position Cited Doughty stated that Donald Trump’s position on the Chagos Islands agreement appears to have changed.

This shift contributes to the treaty's inability to proceed politically.

Background on the Treaty The treaty addresses the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, which the UK plans to cede to Mauritius.

Doughty, as Foreign Office minister, provided these statements in the Commons.