French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Mauritius on Thursday, marking the first visit by a French head of state to the Indian Ocean nation since 1993.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam greeted him at the airport, setting the tone for talks centred on economic resilience, ocean conservation, and regional stability.
Small Islands, Big Challenges
Ramgoolam used the welcome ceremony to warn that global power plays hit small island nations hardest. “When big countries chase their ambitions, the shockwaves wreck the lives of smaller economies first,” he said, pointing to Mauritius’ exposure despite its high living standards.
Blue Economy and Marine Protection
With Réunion (a French territory) just 200 km away, both leaders stressed joint action to safeguard the Indian Ocean’s ecosystems and fight illegal fishing.
France Backs Madagascar’s Transition
Macron also spoke on the recent military takeover in Madagascar, pledging French support for the two-year roadmap back to civilian rule. “We stand ready to help the Malagasy people meet their economic and democratic goals,” he said.
Next Stops
After Mauritius, Macron heads to:
- Johannesburg for the G20 Summit (South Africa)
- Gabon for bilateral talks
- Angola for the AU-EU Summit
A delayed but packed four-nation swing that signals France’s renewed push across the continent.
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