**Chagos Islands Agreement Delayed by Court Injunction**

**Concerns arise over Chagossian representation and potential impact of the deal as a court injunction complicates negotiations.**

A High Court judge has placed a temporary ban on the UK government’s plans to finalize an agreement regarding the Chagos Islands, following a last-minute legal action initiated by two Chagossian women. This injunction, granted at 02:25 BST by Mr. Justice Goose, will prevent the government from concluding its negotiations with Mauritius for the transfer of sovereignty while the court assesses the case.

The planned agreement would allow Mauritius to reclaim the islands, which were separated from it in 1965, while permitting the UK and US to maintain their military presence there for 99 years. The British government has yet to disclose the financial implications for taxpayers, although estimates suggest the total may reach billions.

In response to the court's ruling, a government spokesperson reiterated their commitment to the deal, citing national security considerations, but declined to comment further. Meanwhile, Mauritius Attorney General Gavin Glover has refrained from making statements, noting that further hearings are imminent.

The legal challenge was brought forth by Bernadette Dugasse and Bertrice Pompe, who argue that the UK government's actions neglect the rights and voices of the Chagossian people, the original inhabitants of the islands. Their lawyer, Michael Polak, criticized the government's lack of adequate consultation, implying that this deal follows a pattern of neglecting Chagossian interests.

In his order, Mr. Justice Goose mandated that the UK government refrain from finalizing any agreements regarding the Chagos archipelago until another hearing scheduled for Thursday at 10:30. He emphasized the importance of maintaining UK jurisdiction over the territory pending further legal proceedings.

Negotiations include discussions among Chagossian representatives and the Foreign Office, aiming to incorporate the community's input into the conversation regarding the islands. The Chagossians, who are divided in their views about their homeland's future—some focusing on returning to the islands and others advocating for their rights in the UK—expressed their hope for more inclusion in the negotiations.

The history of the Chagos Islands is fraught with controversy, notably following Britain's acquisition in 1965, which many argue was forced upon Mauritius in exchange for independence. The decades-long US military presence, established by the relocation of local islanders, has further complicated the islands' narrative, as many current Chagossians are advocating for self-determination and recognition of their heritage.

The UK government has faced escalating international pressure to address the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, following resolutions from both the United Nations’ top court and general assembly siding with Mauritius. After recent governmental changes, negotiations stalled, leading to the current injunction, with critics from various political platforms expressing concerns about potential national security ramifications and the financial burden entailed in the agreement.