Republic of Mauritius- 51st Anniversary of the Independence of Mauritius

It is in these words that the Ambassador of Mauritius to France, Mr Vijayen Valaydon, described the extraordinary ties that unite Mauritius and France, during a speech made on 28 March 2019 in Paris, as part of the celebration of the 51^st anniversary of the independence of Mauritius. The wife of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, Mrs Kobita Jugnauth, ambassadors, and parliamentarians, were also present.

He described Mauritius as a young nation but rich in experience. In fact, having been a French colony for a century and a British colony for a century and a half, and before being independent in 1968, Mauritius has experienced migration, slavery and indenture, he said. Mr Valaydon stated that the country is a crossroads of civilisations, notably European, African and Asian adding that Mauritius has been heir to major cultures: French, Malagasy, Mozambican, Senegalese, English, Indian and Chinese. This has allowed people to live together in mutual tolerance since the past three centuries, he added.

Progress of Mauritius since its independence

As regards the progress of Mauritius since its independence, the Mauritian Ambassador to France recalled that the path of the country, the star and key of the Indian Ocean, and bridge between Africa and Asia, has witnessed evolving changes. “Some predicted a very dark future at the very moment of our independence, but we were able to meet the challenge,” he says.

Speaking about the sugar sector as the main pillar of the economy, he stressed that Mauritius has been able to diversify very quickly and adapt to the international economic context, by entering the textile and hotel sectors. Furthermore, based on the know-how and the expertise of Mauritians, education and training were prioritised, which allowed us to explore other sectors with success including that of real estate and services, he says.

Mr Valaydon recalled that Mauritius has been ranked first in Africa for several years, and is ranked 20^th in 190 countries, according to the World Bank’s ‘Doing Business’ 2019 Report. He also pointed out that since independence the gross domestic product per capita has so far multiplied by 50 in five decades, a figure that the government plans to double in the next decade or so.

In addition, the Mauritian Ambassador emphasised that the country has shown maturity in the social, economic and political fields and enjoys a healthy democracy even if it is a young nation.

Mauritius-France bilateral relations

In his address, Mr Valaydon also dwelt on the relations between Mauritius and France. The French being the first who built the island, at the time when it was called the Isle of France, have contributed to shape, among others, the villages of Grand Port and Mahébourg, the city of Curepipe and the capital of Port Louis which was conceived by Mahé de Labourdonnais, he said.

Moreover, he underlined that Mauritius and France are committed to strengthen their mutual cooperation which is the bedrock of diplomacy. He also recalled that France is the main economic partner of Mauritius.

‘France has always provided Mauritius with financial assistance for its economic progress, in particular after attaining independence in the early 80s. Indeed, the support of France has enabled the country to achieve its first economic miracle’, he added.

Ambassador Valaydon observed that during the past year, the existing bilateral ties between the two countries have been enhanced. He recalled that the Secretary of State to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, was invited by the Government of Mauritius on the occasion of the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the independence of the country.

He also referred to the visit of the delegation of the France-Mauritius Friendship Group in October 2018, as well as that of the Deputy Chairman of the France – Madagascar and Indian Ocean Countries Group, Senator Michel Laugier. In addition, several local eminent personalities visited France during the recent months, namely, Cardinal Maurice Piat last November, and the Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Jugnauth, who was on an official visit to France in last September.

Activities for the Mauritian diaspora in France

Mr Valaydon expressed satisfaction as to the number of activities organised for the Mauritian diaspora in France, namely:

–          Setting up of an association for Mauritian students in France (Antred).

–          Painting exhibition last April by Mauritian artists-painters which is an initiative of Amicale France-Maurice.

–          Performance of a Mauritian play at the Mathurins Theater in Paris last April.

–          Launching of a book, ‘Les Français aux Indes’, whose author, Mr Denis Piat, is also vice-president of l’Amicale France-Maurice.

–          Launching of a book on Rodrigues Island in Rouen, ‘Lumière et chuchotements à l’Île Rodrigues’, the author of which is a French woman of Mauritian origin, Mrs Marie-Louise Antoinette Sauvage.

–          Twinning ceremony in Paris between the Chinatown of Port Louis and the Chinatown of Paris on 13 February 2018.

–          Various promotional activities organised by the Economic Development Board, the Council for Economic Development and the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.

The Mauritian Ambassador to France recalled that one of the most significant events for Mauritius this year remains the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which is a victory for the country as regards its long struggle for the process of decolonisation of the Chagos Islands. This victory, he emphasised, is not only that of the Chagossians and the Mauritians, but also for Africa. He also underscored the determination and commitment of the Minister Mentor and the Prime Minister in leading this battle.

Furthermore, Ambassador Valaydon expressed optimism that the year 2019 will be marked by the completion of several major projects including the Metro Express, which is in the process of completion. According to him, after 51 years of independence, Mauritius has now become a model for many countries. He also lauded Prime Minister Jugnauth for his vision, drive and innovation as well as his determination to lead Mauritius from a middle-income to a high-income country in the next decade.