Preparations for a Chagossian heritage visit to their ancestral archipelago are underway, with Olivier Bancoult, leader of the Groupe Réfugiés Chagos (GRC), inviting Chagossians and their descendants to register for the trip planned in the first half of 2027. This initiative follows the announcement by the Mauritian Council of Ministers on July 10, 2026, confirming the visit for 2027. Bancoult's call to action includes Chagossians born in the archipelago, their children, and grandchildren.
A registration campaign will be held at Pointe-aux-Sables starting Thursday, November 12. The campaign targets those born in the Chagos, children of Chagossian parents, and grandchildren of Chagossian grandparents. Registrants must provide birth certificates, identity cards, and passports. Children and grandchildren of Chagossians must also submit documents proving their relationship to their parents or grandparents born in the archipelago.
Registration will take place at the GRC office in Pointe-aux-Sables on five designated dates: November 12, 14, 17, 19, and 21. The office will be open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturdays. Bancoult emphasizes that the visit will be organized in consultation with Mauritian and British authorities, ensuring it takes place within a legal framework.
According to Bancoult, the registration campaign aims to determine the number of Chagossians interested in visiting their ancestral homeland. He stresses that the trip will be conducted with all necessary authorizations and in consultation with concerned authorities. The visit will not be undertaken illegally, and all logistical arrangements will be made in coordination with relevant parties.
The planned heritage visit is a significant development for the Chagossian community, who have been displaced from their homeland. The visit is expected to provide an opportunity for Chagossians to reconnect with their roots and ancestral heritage. Further details about the visit, including travel dates and arrangements, will be announced after the registration process is completed.
The GRC, led by Olivier Bancoult, has been actively involved in promoting the rights and interests of the Chagossian community. The organization has been working closely with Mauritian and British authorities to facilitate the heritage visit. The visit is seen as a crucial step towards preserving the cultural heritage and identity of the Chagossian people.
The registration campaign for the Chagossian heritage visit is a key step towards realizing this significant event. Chagossians and their descendants are encouraged to participate and register for the visit, which promises to be a meaningful experience for those reconnecting with their ancestral homeland.
Key points
- The Chagossian heritage visit is planned for the first half of 2027.
- Registration for the visit will take place in Pointe-aux-Sables on designated dates.
- The visit will be organized in consultation with Mauritian and British authorities.
