At the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Assembly on 15 and 16 February 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Prime Minister Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam expressed his appreciation to the African Union and its member states for their strong support of Mauritius in its sovereignty claim over the Chagos Archipelago.
The Prime Minister informed the AU Member States of ongoing discussions with the United Kingdom government. He expressed the belief that these negotiations were progressing positively and pledged to keep the member states informed of further developments.
As a newly elected head of government, Dr. Ramgoolam highlighted the relevance of the AU’s 2025 theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations”. He emphasized the continuing presence of the Chagos Archipelago as the last colonial territory in Africa, excised from Mauritius prior to independence in violation of United Nations resolutions 1514 and 2066. “Restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Mauritius remains a primary objective of my administration”, he affirmed.
He also discussed the situation of the displaced inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, highlighting the special measures undertaken by his government. “My government is actively supporting the Chagossians and their descendants through the Chagossian Welfare Fund, and we support their aspirations, as Mauritian citizens, to be able to resettle in the Chagos Archipelago if they so desire”, he stated.
In his address, Dr. Ramgoolam presented the new Government Programme for 2025-2029, themed “A Bridge to the Future”, which outlines the government’s agenda for national reconstruction. He underscored the programme’s focus on sustainability through initiatives centered on People, Planet and Prosperity, aligning with the AU’s Agenda 2063 for inclusive and sustainable development.
The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to upholding social justice, the rule of law, and democratic principles. He emphasized the necessity of strengthening democratic institutions, including enhancing the electoral process. He acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the recommendations of the AU Electoral Observer Mission, led by Dr. Mujuru, regarding the recent general elections, noting that the government is carefully considering these suggestions.
Addressing the AU’s institutional reform agenda, Dr. Ramgoolam underscored the importance of improving the organization’s efficiency and transparency. He suggested that these proposed reforms could enable the AU to more effectively address critical issues for the African continent, including financial sustainability, peace and security, the implementation of Agenda 2063, the promotion of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the operationalization of the African Court of Justice, and the mitigation of climate change impacts.