On the picture Ugandan Ambassador Mirjam Blaak greeting Ambassador Dillum Haymandoyal (Mauritius to the EU, ACP Group and Benelux countries) and spouse.
13 March 2017, Residence of Mauritius in Brussels: HE Ambassador Dillum Haymandoyal hosted a reception commemorating the 49th anniversary of independence of his country, and 25th anniversary as a republic.
Independence Day, is marked yearly on 12 March highlighting the 1968’s adoption of a constitution in Mauritius as well as the end of British colonial rule. Officially the country became at the time a Commonwealth realm sharing HM Queen Elizabeth II as “Queen of Mauritius” until 1992, when a republic was proclaimed. The country itself is named after German-Dutch prince, Maurits of Nassau (Moritz von Nassau), Governor of the Dutch Provinces of Holland, Zeeland, Gelre, Overijssel, Groningen and Drenthe. In Latin his name was Mauritius, hence the name of the islands colonised by the Dutch in 1598.
During his short allocution Ambassador Haymandoyal thanked the presence of his Ethiopian counterpart, HE Teshome Toga Chanaka, Chairman of the African, Caribbean and South Pacific (ACP) Group of States’ Committee of Ambassadors. Ambassador Haymandoyal brought attention to his country’s golden jubilee of independence to be celebrated in 2018.
For further information:
Missions of Mauritius to the EU, the OPCW, the ACP Group and the Benelux countries: http://www1.govmu.org/portal/sites/mfamission/brussels/index.htm
Government of Mauritius: http://www.govmu.org/English/News/Pages/A-series-of-activities-organised-to-mark-National-Day-Celebrations.aspx