The President of the Republic of Mauritius, H.E Dharam Gokhool, has conferred upon the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Dr Patrick Herminie, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (G.C.S.K.), the highest national honour of the Republic of Mauritius.
The award was presented at the State House Réduit on the advice of the Prime Minister of Mauritius, Hon Navinchandra Ramgoolam, in recognition of the longstanding friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between Mauritius and Seychelles.
Following the ceremony, President Gokhool hosted a luncheon in honour of President Herminie and the First Lady of Seychelles, Mrs Véronique Herminie, who are the guest of honour for this year’s National Day celebrations. During the occasion, both Presidents exchanged toasts reaffirming the close partnership and enduring ties between the two Indian Ocean island nations.
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Ramgoolam, Deputy Prime Minister Paul Raymond Bérenger, members of Cabinet, senior government officials, dignitaries and other eminent personalities.
Earlier in the day, as part of the programme of his State Visit, President Herminie participated in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden.
Accompanied by Prime Minister Ramgoolam, the President first laid a wreath at the Samadhi of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, paying tribute to the founding father of the Mauritian nation. This was followed by a wreath-laying at the Samadhi of Sir Anerood Jugnauth, honouring his significant contributions to the development and leadership of Mauritius.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic planting of an endangered Bois de Fer tree, a species native to Mauritius named after Jean Frédéric Stadtmann, a French medical doctor who settled on the island. The tree planting reflected the shared commitment of both nations to environmental stewardship and the preservation of biodiversity.
President Herminie and the First Lady later visited two historic landmarks in Port Louis. At the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site, the President was welcomed with a traditional Bhojpuri Geet Gawai performance before receiving a briefing on the historical significance of the site. He subsequently laid a wreath at the symbolic 16 Steps, paying tribute to the indentured labourers whose journeys through the site helped shape Mauritian society. The President was also guided on a tour of the remains and briefed on the history and legacy associated with this important heritage landmark.
The visit continued at the Intercontinental Slavery Museum, where the President and his delegation were taken through the historical narrative surrounding slavery and the formation of Mauritian society — a history that also intersects with that of Seychelles.
The subject holds particular significance for President Herminie, as on 1st February 2026 Seychelles, for the first time, commemorated the abolition of slavery with a dedicated public holiday, marking an important milestone in honouring the memory, resilience, and legacy of those who endured this chapter of history.
President Herminie is currently undertaking a State Visit to Mauritius at the invitation of Prime Minister Ramgoolam and is attending the country’s National Day celebrations as Guest of Honour.
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