The situation is becoming more and more worrying with targeted bombings that have cost the lives of 137 Ukrainians and left more than 300 injured. The fate of our compatriots in Ukraine is equally worrying. Dr. Chandan Jankee keeps calling on Mauritians to contact him even in private. The ambassador’s concern is not who is doing what, how or under which residence permit. He wants to be close to all Mauritians in case of a more dramatic turn of events. The discussion is open with neighbouring and friendly countries.
“If only we had their contact details”
“We could have been more effective if Mauritians had registered with the Mauritian Embassy in Russia beforehand,” he says. Indeed, there are many people living in Ukraine or studying who did not find it important to register to the Embassy. “This is not the right time to raise this debate”, the ambassador said, “We are doing a general screening on Ukraine to know where our compatriots are on Ukrainian soil.” Whether it is at the level of the Mauritian Embassy in Russia which is in permanent contact with the 2 students and Mr. Kevin Allagapen with whom we have been trying to get in touch for the past two weeks, “I also ask the Mauritians who are not on the register of the Embassy to report to us or to me directly in private message about their locations, situations and states, so that we can know how to get them back if things get worse. I also ask those who know Mauritians in Ukraine to come forward and inform us so that I can get in touch with them. Thanks to a friend in the Mauritian press, I was able to get Kevin Allagapen’s contact details, and at least the embassy, the families and myself are less on the spot about this boy and his family. Mauritians in Ukraine, give me a sign,” said the Ambassador.
Call for patience and caution
Currently, the Embassy knows the details of five Mauritians, including the much-publicised Kevin Allagapen, whom the ambassador contacted directly, and the four students who have contacted the Embassy, two of whom have already travelled to England. Dr Jankee, a former Professor of Economics at the University of Mauritius, advises all Mauritians to ‘hunker down’ and wait for things to calm down. “I am asking Mauritians not to go out and expose themselves unnecessarily, just as I have asked Mr. Allagapen to stay in his bunker and the two students to stay on their campuses even though they have been offered a bus transfer to a campus in Poland. My Embassy is negotiating with other embassies in Mauritius and consulates. We will find a solution that suits all soon. I ask Mauritians for patience and caution. At this stage, we cannot deploy the elements to go into action.” Even India is unable to intervene even though the Indian Embassy has 20,000 Indian students in Ukraine. This appeal is also directed at those Mauritians who are allegedly on a business trip, tourists or in an irregular situation. Dr. Jankee has been passing messages on all media platforms and social networks. On his personal Facebook account, he transmitted: “We would appreciate it if they could contact us for any support. Families in Mauritius, having their relatives in Ukraine and Russia, are also welcome to contact the Embassy and provide us with their contacts. It is advisable for Mauritians to register themselves with their Embassies for support during unforeseen situations. Please contact them on +79256658460 or by email at [email protected]”
No request for repatriation to Mauritius yet
The ambassador confirms that “there have been no requests for repatriation to Mauritius yet.” Mr Allagapen is seeking asylum for himself, his partner and child in a neighbouring country. This is supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alan Ganoo who announced on Friday, the presence of 15 Mauritian students in total. However, he made it clear that the Council of Ministers is closely following the latest developments and that Mauritius shares the position of the United Nations, which is calling for an end to the bombing. The Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, who was hosting a press conference on the historic visit to the Chagos, also spoke about the Russia-Ukraine war: “The world is just getting used to the pandemic crisis. This war could have catastrophic consequences for the world. The world economy will be affected, especially the price of oil. I am in favour of opening a global dialogue so as not to let this already declared war get worse“, he said.
According to an initial assessment, as announced by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, “137 heroes, our citizens have lost their lives and 316 other Ukrainians have been wounded in the fighting since the invasion on Thursday morning.”
