Mauritius and Eastern and Southern Africa states conclude historic trade agreement with European Union
via Le Mauricien5 min read
Mauritius and the Eastern and Southern Africa ESA states have concluded negotiations with the European Union to transform their existing Economic Partnership Agreement EPA into a modern and comprehensive free trade agreement. This new agreement, described as historic by the parties, significantly evolves trade relations between Europe and the small island states of the Indian Ocean. It is the first ambitious free trade agreement by the European Union with a group of sub-Saharan African countries that extends beyond trade in goods to include services, investment, digital trade, intellectual property, and economic cooperation. The agreement was signed by Comorian Minister of Economy and Economic Integration Moustoifa Hassani Mohamed, Malagasy Minister of Commerce Haingotiana Michela Angèle Andriamadison, Seychellois Minister of Transport Veronique Laporte, Mauritian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade Ritesh Ramful, and European Union Ambassador to Mauritius and Seychelles Oskar Benedikt, representing European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič. Zimbabwe, also an ESA member, is expected to join later. The parties hailed the agreement as "comprehensive, forward-looking and mutually beneficial," aiming to strengthen trade, improve supply chain resilience, and support sustainable development goals. For Mauritius, the EU remains a key trading partner and a significant source of investment, technology, and development cooperation. Minister Ra
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Must ReadUK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under increased pressure following a series of resignations at the Ministry of Defense on Thursday, including that of Minister John Healey. Healey criticized the insufficient resources allocated to the armed forces amid rising security threats. Downing Street announced the appointment of Dan Jarvis, a former army officer and former Secretary of State for Security at the Home Office, as the new Defense Minister. The government has delayed the publication of its defense investment plan, originally set for late 2025, due to difficult budgetary decisions. John Healey, dissatisfied with the final allocations, announced his departure, followed by Secretary of State for the Armed Forces Al Carns and MP Pamela Nash. In his resignation letter to Keir Starmer, Healey stated that the government and Treasury had failed to mobilize necessary resources to defend the country. Starmer responded by assuring that he would "always do what is necessary to ensure the security" of the UK. These resignations are a setback for the Labour Prime Minister, who has faced political fragility and internal dissent for months, and come a week before a crucial by-election. They also place him in a delicate international position ahead of a G7 summit, with conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and less than a month before the next NATO summit on July 7-8, which will be attended by Donald Trump. Starmer emphasized that his government is implementing the largest sustained i
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Must ReadSixty families residing in former CHA/EDC homes in the Grand-Port district have received a 15-day eviction notice from the district council due to asbestos contamination, with no alternative housing offered. Lalit, a political organization, has alerted the Minister of Housing, Shakeel Mohamed, urging him to halt the evictions until a proper plan is in place. This comes after Minister Mohamed stated a month prior in the National Assembly that the government would proceed with asbestos removal from these homes, a declaration welcomed by affected families. However, the recent eviction notices, citing a dangerous condition based on an engineer's survey, caught residents by surprise. The notices also warned that non-compliance could lead to the demolition of their homes. Rajni Lallah of Lalit met with the vice-president of the Grand-Port district council, Ritesh Gopy, who indicated the council acted on directives from the Ministry of Local Government. Lalit has since written to Minister Mohamed, who chairs the inter-ministerial committee on asbestos housing replacement, requesting that the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Local Government cease issuing eviction notices. Lalit also called for formal public assurances that these notices would be canceled and that authorities would collaborate with residents to rehouse them or replace their homes with safe alternatives. The organization emphasizes the urgency of clarifying the si