Britain is bracing for a crushing defeat at the United Nations on Wednesday when the General Assembly is expected to adopt a measure demanding that London cede the British-ruled Chagos islands, home to an important military base.

Chagos Islands: UN officially demands Britain and US withdraw from Indian Ocean archipelago. / General assembly expected to vote in favour of UK ceding control of Indian Ocean archipelago – site of major US airbase – to Mauritius

Mauritius supported by 94 nations in move to consult The Hague over colonial hold of Indian Ocean territory by British.

After more than half a century, the U.K. is passing sovereignty of the disputed territory back to Mauritius. Why now?

Judges advise Britain that separating archipelago from Mauritius in 1960s was wrong.