Technical Subcommittee Meeting focuses on concrete security actions between Mauritius and Réunion

The necessity for Mauritius, as an Island State with a vast Exclusive Economic Zone, to maintain close, pragmatic and action-oriented cooperation with partners, particularly France, in addressing complex transnational threats was highlighted this morning by the Secretary for Home Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office, Mrs Kan Oye Fong Weng-Poorun, during the opening ceremony of the meeting of the Technical Subcommittee on Internal Security under the Mauritius–Réunion Security Contact Group.

The Mauritius–Réunion Security Contact Group, established under a bilateral agreement signed between Mauritius and France in 2011, serves as a platform for cooperation in the fields of internal security and maritime safety, among others, through dedicated technical subcommittees.

The opening ceremony was held at the Headquarters of the Mauritius Police Force at Line Barracks in Port Louis in the presence of the Director of the Office of the Prefect of Réunion Island, Mr Vincent Bernard-Lafoucrière; the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Frédéric Bontems; the Commissioner of Police, Mr Rampersad Sooroojebally; and other high-ranking officials from Mauritius and Réunion Island.

In her address, the Secretary for Home Affairs praised the longstanding relations between Mauritius, Réunion Island and, by extension, the Republic of France, which she said are founded on a shared history, regional proximity and a common determination to address security challenges.

Moreover, Mrs Fong Weng-Poorun noted that the Mauritius–Réunion Security Contact Group has enabled real-time exchanges between the two territories, the establishment of permanent coordination mechanisms between services, intensified joint training programmes and the development of targeted operational actions against criminal networks. She expressed satisfaction that collaboration under the Contact Group would continue, with the next meeting scheduled to be held in Mauritius in September 2026.

According to her, the establishment of technical subcommittees contributes to the implementation of decisions taken under the Contact Group framework. She stated that the work of the Technical Subcommittee on Internal Security reflects the common commitment to maintaining dynamic and structured cooperation aimed at delivering concrete results. The key thematic areas addressed by the Technical Subcommittee include combating drug trafficking and money laundering, strengthening police cooperation, maintaining public order and enhancing road safety.

The Secretary for Home Affairs further indicated that several Mauritian entities form part of the Technical Committee, namely the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit, the Central Crime Investigation Department, the Special Mobile Force, the Mauritius Revenue Authority Customs, the Financial Crimes Commission and the Ministry of Land Transport. For improved coordination on the Mauritian side, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Rajcoomar Seebah, has been designated to coordinate the actions of the Technical Subcommittee.

Nevertheless, Mrs Fong Weng-Poorun stressed the importance of maintaining regular collaboration and real time exchanges between the various Mauritian units and the authorities of Réunion Island.

For his part, the Director of the Office of the Prefect of Réunion Island highlighted the exemplary and rich cooperation between Mauritius and Réunion Island within the framework of the Indian Ocean Commission and the wider Indian Ocean region. He pointed to the strong partnerships, inter-service relations and operational collaboration between Réunion Island, Mauritius and France. Mr Bernard-Lafoucrière underscored as well the shared pragmatic approach favouring concrete exchanges and operational planning, while proposing the activation of a subcommittee dedicated to civil security, given that both islands face similar challenges.

As for Ambassador Frédéric Bontems, he observed that international criminal networks know no borders and that Mauritius and Réunion Island are confronted with the same security challenges. He stated that closer collaboration strengthens the effectiveness of actions undertaken to combat social scourges such as drug trafficking and money laundering. He thus cited the major drug seizure carried out on 15 April 2026 which, he deemed, constituted further proof of the effective coordination between the respective services and the efficiency of the operations conducted jointly.

Furthermore, the French Ambassador welcomed the organisation of several meetings over recent months that have facilitated dialogue between internal security forces in the Indian Ocean territories, including the regional meeting of Heads of police of the south-west Indian Ocean zone.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Rampersad Sooroojebally, highlighted the importance of an integrated vision for internal security in which institutions remain interconnected, and cooperation becomes central to addressing evolving challenges. “By strengthening our coordination, consolidating our partnerships and acting consistently, we can build a safer, more stable and more resilient environment for the population,” he said.

07 May 2026

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Topics: Finance, Diplomacy, Drugs, Bilateral cooperation, Transport