President Ramkalawan in Mauritius for 189th Anniversary of Abolition of Slavery
VICTORIA, Seychelles — President Wavel Ramkalawan is in Mauritius as the chief guest of Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth at the commemoration of the 189th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius, which is being observed on Thursday, February 1. The head of state arrived in Mauritius on Wednesday afternoon at around 12.30pm on board an Air Seychelles flight, and was met at the airport by Prime Minister Jugnauth in the presence of other high officials. The visit is the first overseas trip of the year for the Seychellois head of state, and is being treated as a key moment in the bilateral calendar between the two island neighbours.
According to the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), the two men held talks at the airport for around 20 minutes before President Ramkalawan headed to State House to meet his Mauritian counterpart, President Prithvirajsing Roopun, for his first official event. The two presidents discussed the historical and cultural links that bind the two neighbouring island states, as well as future cooperation, according to MBC. President Ramkalawan also signed the visitors’ book at State House, before taking part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the historical site in Pointe Canon, Mahebourg, as part of activities to commemorate the abolition of slavery.
The main ceremony is to take place on Thursday, February 1, which is observed as a public holiday in Mauritius. President Ramkalawan is expected to return to Seychelles on Saturday. The visit comes at a moment when both countries are reflecting on the legacy of slavery in the Indian Ocean, and on the continuing work of reconciliation and recognition. The 189th anniversary is being marked with a series of cultural and educational events across Mauritius, in addition to the formal commemoration at Pointe Canon.
For Seychelles, the visit also offers an opportunity to discuss with the Mauritian government a number of practical bilateral issues, including the management of the shared maritime boundary, the operation of the existing air services agreement, and cooperation on the blue economy. Both governments have indicated a desire to deepen ties in these areas, and the visit is being framed in official communications as a chance to set the agenda for the year ahead. The meeting between the two presidents is the first since the start of 2024.
The visit follows President Ramkalawan’s participation in a number of regional and international events in recent months, including the December 7 commemoration in Seychelles, the Indian Ocean Rim Association summit, and the Heads of State meeting of the Indian Ocean Commission. The Mauritius trip is the first of several overseas engagements expected in the first half of 2024. A fuller readout of the discussions between the two presidents is expected to be released by State House in the coming days.
