They are two of the ten Mauritians that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is currently caring for. The Ambassador of Mauritius to Russia, Dr Chandan Jankee has made public an emergency phone number, +79256658460, and an e-mail address, [email protected], while the Mauritian government has set up a hotline, 405 25 76, and the Ambassador of Mauritius in Berlin, Christelle Sohun, has been helping to relocate Mauritian refugees for a few days. Missionaries in Ukraine are trying to identify Mauritians in difficulty. All those who make up this cell seek to mentor Mauritians in Ukraine.
Komal Luchan reaches home this Saturday 05
The first to be repatriated is Komal Luchan, a 27-year-old dental student. The latter, son of Superintendent Manoj Luchan, has lived through a 4-day crossing in catastrophic weather conditions and even experienced the traumatic experience of racism at the Polish border where he even witnessed the mistreatment of asylum seekers by armed soldiers on the sole basis of their non-white colour! Hosted by Mauritians in Warsaw after a treatment in a refugee camp on the Polish border, Komal Luchan will return to Mauritius on a flight from Poland to Dubai.
Government care for the Allagapens
Kevin Allagapen and his small family will also return to Mauritius in a few days. His case is more special. He has been in Ukraine for about 18 months and already has an open ticket. We were able to get his ticket changed for Poland-Dubai-Mauritius. On humanitarian grounds, the government will pay for the tickets for his girlfriend and her child. Even though she is not a Mauritian citizen, she will be looked after as she is the mother of Mr Allagapen’s child. “Mauritius has always been supportive and we understand the situation in which Mauritians in Ukraine find themselves,” said Alan Ganoo. The Minister of Transport and Metro Leger, Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade also said that he is in constant contact with friendly countries to find the Mauritians in Ukraine and help them. It should be noted that some Mauritians contacted do not wish to be repatriated to Mauritius, but simply to get out of Ukraine and to be temporarily rehoused in a neighbouring country until the end of this war which is taking on unmeasurable proportions, “such as Dr Rambarun and his family who have not yet decided whether to go to Romania, Hungary or Poland,” the Minister added. As for the 8 Ukrainian tourists stranded in Mauritius, “the government was going to extend their visas and provide them with accommodation until the calm returns to Ukraine,” said Alan Ganoo.
Mauritius’ position against Ukraine at the WTO Conference in Paris
Mauritius was one of 141 UN countries to support a resolution in favour of Ukraine demanding that Russia immediately cease military operations in Ukraine. The resolution was adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on 2 March, with 5 voting against and 35 abstaining. “This resolution will reaffirm the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.” Minister Ganoo also spoke of sanctions to be taken against Russia, which will be as bilateral as the other countries “we will intervene on a case-by-case basis. Mauritius maintains cordial diplomatic relations with Russia but Mauritius is affiliated with many organisations. The World Tourism Organisation has already sent us a motion for the expulsion of Russia. We need to make our position known as soon as possible. The WTO conference will be held in Paris next week,” he concluded.
