deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

“Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometres (1,100 nautical miles) off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar. It includes the main island (also called Mauritius), as well as Rodrigues, Agaléga, and St. Brandon (Cargados Carajos shoals). The islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues, along with nearby Réunion (a French overseas department), are part of the Mascarene Islands. The main island of Mauritius, where the population is concentrated, hosts the capital and largest city, Port Louis. The country spans 2,040 square kilometres (790 sq mi).”

“Mauritius also claims sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago(including Diego Garcia), some 1,250 miles (2,000 km) to the northeast, although this claim is disputed by Britain. A tentative agreement to resolve the competing claims was announced in October 2024.”

As for the flag, Like many other islands in the Indian Ocean and elsewhere, Mauritius was long under colonial rule by both the British and the French. The unique culture that resulted is reflected in the national flag, one of only two in the world with four equal horizontal stripes (the Central African Republic has a four-striped flag that is bisected by a vertical red bar). This flag was chosen in anticipation of independence from colonial rule, which occurred on March 12, 1968, and was first hoisted on that date. Prior to independence, Mauritius displayed the typical colonial flags of the British Empire—the Union Jack, the British Red Ensign, and a version of the British Blue Ensign with a badge representing the colony.

“The flag has symbolic attributes for each of its colours. Yellow is said to be the “light of freedom shining over the island,” while red reflects the national struggle for independence. The blue stripe is emblematic of the insular nature of the country and its position in the Indian Ocean. Finally, green refers to the yearlong verdure of the island, based on its subtropical weather. No alterations have been made in the Mauritian flag since independence in 1968.” Whitney Smith

Why is Mauritius in the news right now? Because of that tiny section called The Chagos Archipelago which includes Diego Garcia. While Mauritius was under the control of Britain the USA and Britain built an important joint military base on Diego Garcia. Britain is working on ‘a deal’ that would give Mauritius sovereignty over Chagos if they, Mauritius, agrees to allow the military base on Diego Garcia to operate for 99 years.

The current US administration has indicated they ‘might’ be in favor of this arrangement. (The current occupant of the White House said he thought ‘the deal was for 140 years or so.’)

The Conservative Party in Britain is not in favor of the deal because it would cost Britain upwards of 18 billion British pounds. The United Nations has expressed an opinion that The Chagos Islands belong to Mauritius. The question remains unanswered at the moment.