
Deal that will see UK hand over control of Chagos Islands to Mauritius will be signed today
A deal that will see the UK hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is set to be signed today.
Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island, as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon. The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion, are part of the Mascarene Islands. The main island of Mauritius, where the population is concentrated, hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis. The country spans 2,040 square kilometres (790 sq mi) and has an exclusive economic zone covering approximately 2,000,000 square kilometres.
A deal that will see the UK hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius is set to be signed today.
The US and UK will maintain a key military base on the island for 99 years, under the multi-billion pound deal.