VICTORIA, Seychelles — Seychelles’ President Wavel Ramkalawan has been invited by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Pravin Jugnauth, to be the Chief Guest at the commemoration of the 189th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius. The Office of the President issued a communiqué on Sunday stating that the official ceremony will be held on February 1, 2024, which will be a National holiday in Mauritius. The event is described as a tribute to the countless and nameless men, women and children who contributed to the building of the two nations.
The press release noted that the ceremony serves as a reminder that the fight against the slave trade and slavery was won by the moral resistance and sacrifice of many people. Seychelles and Mauritius share the same indelible history of colonialism and also the same great tragedy of hereditary slavery, the statement read. The framing reflects a broader effort across the Indian Ocean region to mark the anniversary not only as a historical event but as a continuing call to recognise the contributions of those who laboured under slavery.
State House said that, aside from the official ceremony, President Ramkalawan will also take part in various other activities organised to coincide with the 189th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius. The programme is expected to include cultural events and bilateral meetings on the margins of the commemoration, providing an opportunity for the two heads of government to discuss matters of common interest. The visit comes at a time when both countries have been working to deepen cooperation on a range of regional and international issues.
During the president’s absence from the country, his duties and responsibilities will be discharged by Vice President Ahmed Afif. The arrangement is in line with the constitutional provisions for the temporary handover of executive authority when the head of state travels abroad. State House has not indicated when the President is expected to return, but the duration of the trip is likely to be limited to the commemoration and associated events over the February 1 long weekend in Mauritius.
The invitation is the latest in a series of exchanges between the two governments and reflects the close historical and cultural ties between Seychelles and Mauritius. The commemoration of the abolition of slavery is observed annually in Mauritius on February 1, and the invitation of a foreign head of state as chief guest is a mark of the importance Mauritius attaches to its relationship with Seychelles. The two countries have cooperated closely in regional bodies, including the Indian Ocean Commission, and the visit is likely to reinforce those ties at a time of evolving regional dynamics.
