Seychelles Chagossian Committee Meets With Local Chagossian Community
VICTORIA, Seychelles — Chagossians and their descendants who are living in Seychelles gathered at the Les Mamelles district administration office yesterday afternoon, for a general meeting organised by the Seychelles Chagossians Committee. The aim of the meeting was to update the community regarding the latest developments in the last six months, since it was announced that an agreement has been reached for the United Kingdom (UK) to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending decades of dispute and negotiation over Britain’s last African colony.
According to the chairperson Pierre Prosper, the committee briefed the community regarding the discussions and advice that it has sought from various parties, and the way forward for the Chagos islanders and their descendants. Among the main concerns raised during the meeting were the issues of compensation for the forced displacement and exile of some 1,500 to 2,000 islanders and resettlement. Mr Prosper noted that although the Mauritian government has publicly announced compensation to the Chagossians, the process remains slow and the criteria for receiving compensation are still being worked out.
The meeting also addressed questions about the future status of Chagossians born in Seychelles and the possibility of dual nationality with Mauritius. Committee members assured the gathering that they are working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Mauritian High Commission to ensure that the rights and interests of all Chagossians are protected. The next steps, the committee said, will include continued engagement with international legal advisors and advocacy groups, as well as a public awareness campaign to inform the wider Seychellois population about the history and rights of the Chagossian community. The committee will hold further meetings in the coming months as the situation develops.
