🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Mauritius aims to transform ocean into growth driver
via Le Mauricien2 min read
At the Blue Economy Finance Forum BEFF in Monaco, Arvin Boolell, Minister of Agro-Industry and Blue Economy, advocated for blue finance, presenting Mauritius as a maritime power. He outlined the country's goal to double the blue economy's contribution to national GDP by 2036. Boolell highlighted Mauritius's vast maritime domain, including its Exclusive Economic Zone EEZ of nearly 3 million square kilometers, one of Africa's largest following the Chagos treaty. The minister emphasized moving beyond purely environmental discussions to focus on financial results, stressing Mauritius's ability to attract foreign capital through rigorous governance and innovative financial tools. He mentioned that the sovereign blue bond framework is designed to de-risk entry and amplify returns for long-term institutional investors, with legal stability being key to Mauritius's attractiveness. Science also guides Mauritius's strategy, utilizing artificial intelligence for fisheries management and developing marine biotechnologies. The upcoming Blue Economy Bill, to be debated in Parliament, aims to provide a predictable legislative framework. Boolell also noted Mauritius's pioneering role as the first country to ratify the historic BBNJ agreement on high seas biodiversity and its collaboration with Seychelles on shared continental shelf management. He concluded by inviting blue finance stakeholders to invest, stating, "The ocean is our common future. Investment is the bridge to achieve it. Let us
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
The Never Again Olive Resistance NAOR association, in partnership with La Pointe Centre d’Art in Tamarin, will host a cultural event titled "Make Art Not War – Fer Lar Pa Fer Dominer" on Saturday, June 13. This initiative aims to raise public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Palestine through various artistic expressions. Following a public conference on April 25 in Port-Louis, NAOR continues its awareness campaign with an event focused on art and dialogue. The event at La Pointe Centre d’Art in Tamarin will celebrate Palestinian culture and honor the resilience of Palestinians and populations in conflict zones, including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, and Iran. Organizers intend to highlight the fundamental human connections uniting these communities, emphasizing shared universal experiences like music, stories, traditions, and emotions such as love, joy, and suffering. The event will also draw parallels between Mauritius and these regions, noting similarities in lifestyles between Tamarin's fishing communities and historical realities, including situations in Gaza and the Chagos Archipelago. Organizers also aim to remind attendees of their often underestimated power to act, suggesting that individual and collective engagement can contribute to a more supportive and humanitarian-aware society. The evening will feature interventions, including a discussion on colonialism, Gaza, and the Chagos by Mauritian writer and activist Lindsey Collen, followed
Must ReadTensions remain high in the UK following the release of a video depicting the murder of student Henry Nowak. During a heated exchange in the British Parliament, Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused far-right leader Nigel Farage of exploitation. This comes after violence erupted in Southampton on Tuesday, June 2, during an anti-police gathering. Protesters were reacting to footage from last December showing police officers handcuffing a dying student, who had been falsely accused of racist insults by his Sikh murderer. Eleven officers were injured in the Southampton incident. In the House of Commons, amidst jeers, Nigel Farage, leader of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, reiterated his argument of an anti-white police force. He had previously called on Tuesday for a "cold rage" response to Henry Nowak's assassination. Farage stated, "It is now obvious to millions of people in this country that we live under a two-tier police state. The instructions given to police officers by their superiors are clear and written. They state that different ethnic groups should be treated differently." Prime Minister Starmer expressed his fury and shock at Farage's attempt to incite anger and exploit the tragedy. He criticized Farage for exploiting the tragedy for division, especially when the family had explicitly pleaded for it to stop. This controversy arises just two weeks before a crucial by-election where Reform UK hopes to defeat the Labour candidate. The British police announced on W
A foreign national in his sixties has been placed in isolation at Pamplemousses Hospital due to a suspected case of Mpox. The individual was admitted after developing concerning skin symptoms. Dr. Fazil Khodabocus, Acting Director of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, stated that a doctor first examined the patient before referring him to a dermatologist. The dermatologist observed lesions, pustules, and scabs consistent with Mpox. Samples have been sent to the Candos laboratory for analysis. Health authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and an investigation has been launched to determine how the patient may have contracted the illness. If the diagnosis is confirmed, contact tracing will be initiated immediately to identify individuals who had contact with the patient. Separately, Dr. Khodabocus reported 25 cases of leptospirosis, including six deaths, since the beginning of the year. Approximately 80 cases of chikungunya are recorded daily, with ongoing cases in Port Louis, Bambous, and the South. Dr. Khodabocus urged the public to be vigilant against mosquitoes due to hot and humid conditions and advised anyone with symptoms to consult a doctor promptly. He also noted a slight increase in seasonal flu cases, with 4,218 recorded to date, and recommended vaccination for at-risk individuals to reduce complications.
The African Leadership College of Higher Education ALCHE celebrated Africa Day 2026, hosting employees and students alongside dignitaries including Hlamalani Nelly Manzini, South Africa's High Commissioner to Mauritius, the Consul General of Ghana, and honorary consuls from Namibia, Rwanda, and Côte d'Ivoire. ALCHE's chosen theme for the year was "Inclusive, sustainable development driven by Africa’s people, especially women and youth, fostering peace, security, and the care of every child," prompting collective reflection on Africa's future. Africa Day is a highly anticipated annual event at ALCHE, reflecting the institution's deep connection to the continent. The Beau-Plan campus hosted a unique celebration of African identity, leadership, creativity, and resilience, while also fostering dialogue on Africa's future prospects. This year, ALCHE also reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability and supporting local communities. The morning featured enriching discussions among diplomats, legislators, academics, artists, students, faculty, and administrative staff, exploring the roles of education, politics, culture, and arts in shaping Africa's future. Conversations highlighted the transformative power of arts, the importance of public policies in societal governance, and the evolving role of education in preparing future generations. The day also included a cultural program, with a slam celebrating African countries and their natural resources. Artists from the Nelson Mandela C