Official recognition as French in the Indian Ocean

On March 11, 2024, at the Quai d’Orsay, Ben Issa Ousséni, the President of the Departmental Council (CD) of Mayotte, signed a historic partnership agreement with Stéphane Séjourné, representing the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

The lack of recognition by the United Nations (UN) of Mayotte’s status as the 101st French department has hindered the island’s full representation on the regional stage. With this agreement, Mayotte is expected to represent France alongside La Réunion in the Indian Ocean, particularly within the bodies of the Indian Ocean Commission (COI), which currently includes member states such as the Union of the Comoros, the Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, and La Réunion.

Under this framework agreement, a Mayotte Regional Integration Committee (CIRM) will be established to facilitate the exchange of information and news. This committee will comprise representatives from the CD, the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and the Ministries of the Interior and Overseas. Additionally, the partnership stipulates the presence of CD representatives in French embassies or diplomatic missions in the region, with the first representatives stationed in Mauritius, Mozambique, and Madagascar. Furthermore, the department’s services will be integrated into disseminating non-confidential economic and political briefings.