The British government has signed a deal to transfer the Chagos Islands’ sovereignty to Mauritius. But it effectively blocks the return of hundreds of islanders who were born there.

A ceremony transferring sovereignty of the British Indian Ocean Territory of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was called off at the last moment after the High Court in London granted an injunction to islanders.

The UK has agreed to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending decades of British administration. The deal includes a £101 million annual payment to lease the base for 99 years,