AFRICA DAY | Continental diplomacy Mauritius celebrates the unity and resilience of the continent

On the occasion of Africa Day celebrated around the world on May 25, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ritesh Ramful, launched a vibrant message of unity, solidarity and hope towards the African continent and its diaspora. In his speech, he recalled that this celebration marks the founding of the Organization of African Unity in Addis Ababa on May 25, 1963, while highlighting the long journey traveled by the continent since this historic date.

The head of diplomacy dwelt on the fact that Mauritius deeply shares African heritage through its cultural traditions, its languages, its music and the collective memory of its people. He recalled that the day after its independence, on March 12, 1968, Mauritius had naturally taken its place among the independent African nations under the leadership of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, considered the Father of the Nation.

In a global context marked by major economic transformations, Ritesh Ramful affirmed that Africa today finds itself at a decisive turning point in its history. According to him, "the global economy is changing, supply chains are being redesigned and the rules of international trade are evolving rapidly." With a population of 1.4 billion and the youngest population in the world, Africa is no longer on the sidelines of major global economic and financial decisions, he declared.

He also highlighted the determining role of the African Union in supporting Mauritius in its fight to complete its decolonization and have its sovereignty recognized over the Chagos archipelago. He praised the “constant solidarity” of African Union member states towards Mauritius over the decades.

Furthermore, Minister Ramful spoke of the "Second International Decade for People of African Descent" (2025-2035), stressing that calls are increasing to face the consequences of slavery and colonialism, obtain reparations and guarantee the human rights of people of African descent across the world. He particularly welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of resolution A/RES/80/250 in March 2026, which qualifies the African slave trade as the most serious crime against humanity. Faced with global challenges, such as climate change, the minister considered that African unity remains essential to provide strong collective responses. “United, our nations have the strength to lead the global response to climate change,†he said.

In conclusion, Ritesh Ramful sent his fraternal greetings to the presidency of the African Union Commission, to the African people as well as to all Mauritians “in whom lives the spirit of Africa”