It was founded in 1992 to decorate people who have made a contribution to social progress in the nations of the Indian Ocean.

Each year on Independence day (12 March) the president of the republic appoints new members on the recommendation of the prime minister.

The decoration shall be 3 mm thick in the form of a cross and made up of a circular central part and three sets of leaves: outer, middle, inner.

The middle leaves shall be made of violet blue enamel (Group 98 Col of the Royal Horticultural Society colour chart), have pointed ends capped by beads, and be lined externally with gold 2mm thick.

The inner leaves shall be in the shape of a cross with equal arms of blue enamel (Group 100D of the same colour chart) lined externally with gold 1mm thick.