🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Suraiya Johnson's resilient journey from Vacoas to Arizona
via Le Mauricien6 min read
Suraiya Johnson, 55, born in Vacoas, Mauritius, has navigated two immigrations, harassment, and French television sets before reinventing herself in the American desert. Her journey began when she left her native island at eight for France, where she experienced both the wonder of the Paris Metro and the harsh reality of racism. Later, on the French Riviera, her parents' employment with a count led to encounters with Frank Sinatra. Johnson's own career started in French audiovisuals, including the show Pyramide. Following a divorce and personal reconstruction, she moved to Arizona with her second husband 17 years ago, falling in love with the vast landscapes and local kindness. Her innovative security product was inspired by a vital need she observed during hikes in isolated Arizona areas. Recognizing that cell phones were useless without network coverage during accidents, Johnson designed a simple, essential prevention notepad. This tool allows users to leave crucial information, such as location and contacts, in their vehicle before venturing into nature, thereby assisting rescue services. Her company now acts as an umbrella for other creative projects, including poetry and culinary show concepts. Johnson faced administrative challenges, including navigating American bureaucracy, complex English forms, and obtaining "Small Business" certification. Working alone, she prospects across the United States, from Los Angeles to Oregon. Her appearance in Scottsdale magazine validat
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The London-based collective Kokoroko is set to perform in Mauritius on Saturday, following a regional tour that included Southern Africa and Reunion. Formed in London in 2014 by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey and percussionist Onome Edgeworth, Kokoroko has become a prominent figure in the contemporary Afro-jazz scene. The group aims to reconnect African diasporas with their musical roots, blending jazz, Afrobeat, and highlife into a warm and modern sound. The British Council is supporting the Institut français de Maurice in bringing Kokoroko to Mauritius on June 6. This initiative strengthens multilateral cultural cooperation between the UK, France, and Mauritius, promoting dialogue and mutual understanding. Naweid Fakeermahamood, Programme Manager for Cultural Engagement at the British Council, stated that Kokoroko's music reflects the openness and creativity they wish to promote. The project is also supported by Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels and Phoenix Bev, who aim to contribute to Mauritius's cultural development and enhance its appeal as a cultural destination. This collaboration between public institutions, international cultural actors, and private partners represents a new approach to artistic events, fostering an ecosystem of collaborations. The June 6 concert is the culmination of a regional tour and a starting point for new dynamics, forging connections between artists, audiences, and cultural visions. Anaïs Robert, Cultural Project Manager, highlighted that this pro
Must ReadMauritius will host a significant diplomatic and economic event next Wednesday, where the European Union and four Eastern and Southern African states—Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles—will officially conclude negotiations to deepen their Economic Partnership Agreement EPA. This follows over six years of discussions. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations, and Transparency, will visit Mauritius on June 10 to participate in the closing ceremony alongside trade ministers from the African nations. Representatives from the European Commission, the EU Delegation to Madagascar and Comoros, and government authorities will also attend, with Mauritius represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ritish Ramful. The conclusion of these talks marks the culmination of a process launched in October 2019, known as the Deepening Process, aimed at enhancing the existing EPA. The interim EPA, provisionally applied since May 2012, already links the EU with Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, and Zimbabwe, with Comoros joining in 2019. The new, expanded agreement will cover thirteen strategic areas, including trade in services, investments, rules of origin, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, agriculture, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property rights, competition policy, sustainable development, transparency in public procurement, and dispute resolution mechanisms.
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
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