“I have no scores to settle… I just have a passion for the truth.”
– Jean-Claude de l’Estrac, author of L’an prochain à Diego Garcia
At the 2011 International Book Fair held at the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Jean-Claude de l’Estrac launched what many consider a landmark publication in Mauritian history: L’an prochain à Diego Garcia (Next Year in Diego Garcia). The book offers a powerful, honest, and deeply researched account of the tragic displacement of the Chagossians and the political maneuvering that led to the excision of the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritius.
Far from a political attack, de l’Estrac’s work is a passionate attempt to bring hidden truths into the open — and restore dignity to a people silenced for too long.
The author’s dedication to this story is evident in the scope of his research. He consulted over 3,150 documents, including:
Archived material from Mauritius and the United States
Jean-Claude de l’Estrac credits the support of people like Nad Sivaramen (former journalist in Washington D.C.) and Ronald Raimbert (archivist at La Sentinelle) for helping uncover facts long buried in diplomatic silence.
The book launch attracted a notable audience:
Each guest highlighted the emotional and historical importance of the book. Ambassador Dobelle pointed to the “cynicism of colonial powers”, especially with the creation of the marine park around Chagos, which he said “sacrificed the Chagossians on the altar of the environment god.”
In an especially moving moment, Cassam Uteem likened the displacement of the Chagossians to that of the Palestinians, describing it as:
He reminded the audience that de l’Estrac, as a member of parliament in the 1980s, was among the first to defend the Chagossian cause — not just as history, but as a human tragedy still unresolved.
L’an prochain à Diego Garcia is more than a book — it is a mirror to history, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths.
It leaves us with one unavoidable question:
If we know the truth now, what will we do with it?