Much has been said around the actual Political situation of Mauritius. Questions are raised, eyebrows and voices too. The media is getting its worth of exposure, living on scandals as they come out every now and then. There is a growing perception that the general elections are at the doorsteps ; but the governing team does not see it that way. There is absolutely nothing that prompts an imminent call to general elections. Uncertainties have an impact on the economic health of a country as they directly influence investor confidence. Beyond what the media showcases, let’s have a look at what the situation looks like.

The ruling Party, MSM, has won the last two general elections, earning its right to lead the island for the last nine years, with one more year to go. Normally, general elections should thus happen in 2024. In 2014, the actual ruling party won the game and was reconducted to office in 2019. Five (5) year mandates are what the political / electoral system caters for. In its last showdown, the MSM (and three allies) won 42 seats out of the 70 available. In the last elections, held in 2019, the three main contenders were (as usual) traditional parties that have existed since the Independence of Mauritius, that is, since 1968. These are the Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM), the Parti Travailliste (PTR or Mauritian labour party), Parti Mauricien Social Democrate (PMSD) and the Mouvement Militant Mauritius (MMM). Every party has an iconic leader, either the founder or the son of the founder. We have not yet hit the third generation of ‘iconic descendant’ ; that illustrates the fairly young age of our system. 

The Prime Minister is the son of Sir Aneerood Jugnauth (founder of the MSM party), the leader of the opposition, Mr Xavier-Luc Duval is the son of Sir Gaetan Duval (founder of the PMSD), Dr Navin Ramgoolam is the previous Prime Minister and son of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (founding member of the PTR, and commonly accepted as Father of the Nation). It is quite clear from the above that power has been transmitted genetically, but what’s more interesting is that it was widely accepted by the population, as ‘normal’.

The actual Prime Minister was catapulted to his position, initially, through the decision of his father, who was the one population voted for in 2014. But then Pravind K. Jugnauth legitimated his position by winning, on his own, the 2019 elections. Those criticizing this ascension are often themselves sons or daughters of previous leaders. So, the criticism is always done in half-voice ; probably just to please the voters. The only one not having a father-leader is Mr Paul Berenger, but he has compensated for it by earmarking his daughter as a possible future leader of his party, the MMM. He stood a chance to stand apart (and remarkable), he finally succumbed to the same illness. All fair and square, all same – the name of the game.

Accepting blood descendants as legitimate leaders poses a selective elimination process as it mitigates the threat of new entrants. Beyond family name and pedigree, there is also the ethnic (and sub-ethnic) considerations. Only a certain ethnic group (with a sub-ethnic particularity) can seriously run for office and claim legitimacy of Prime Minister-ship. This is also well anchored in our blood and totally acceptable. It is true that the island is a blend of different cultures, all living in peace and harmony, but the backstage story is different during electoral campaigns. The differences are called out openly by running candidates and their ethnic-based lobby powerhouses.  There is no hesitation in pushing the Divide & Rule concept.

It is important that we all understand that the game is played using ethnic differences whenever and wherever possible.  During electoral campaigns, and slightly before and after, one will encounter incidents where racial differences will prevail. It happened in sports (strangely when our national teams exceled!), in previous electoral battles and in many other spheres too. But that, Thank God, has not damaged our national heritage of peace and harmony, taught to us by our ancestors and forefathers. I believe that this is a legacy we are not ready to renounce to.

In the current political configuration, the President of the Republic has an honorific function. He is not part of the executive team, more or less benefiting from a golden retirement opportunity in a castle with a chauffeur-driven diplomatic status. The President is not elected by voters, but nominated by the elected party.

 Mr Roopun, the actual President, also faces severe criticism despite his no-power status. He is financed by public funds but has shown not really substance in his office ; unlike some of his predecessors who intelligently, elegantly and galanty represented Mauritius on the international fronts. I am referring particularly to Cassam Uteem, seen as the best we ever had on the Presidential chair.  Mrs Ameena Garib-Fakim, an illustrious daughter of the island and world-renowned botanist was the first lady-president nominated by the actual governing party (which is the normal system) but she fell dishonored, trapped in an unprecedented financial scandal.

I remember writing a French article on this topic, many years back. Well general elections simply mean a new mass entertainment opportunity for the population. At last, something happening, something that can trigger passion and ignite passionate (and verbally aggressive) debates. Mauritians love movements and excitement. The general elections do provide a very good share of it, every five years or so. Whatever happens during the electoral campaign is more of a sporting nature than hatred or aggression. Of course, there are eternally frustrated people who get the opportunity to cast some oil on sparkle with a desperate hope to ignite a good fire, but once the governing party is settled, things get to normal, more or less, again.

We are all aware that Mauritius is devoid of any natural resources. The only wealth of the island is its people. Trapping ourselves in internal conflicts is not what the majority wants. There are times when a certain national frustration is felt, amplified by the effects of social media, and reading some of these contents might instill fear or doubts on external eyes. The country still has a deep scar from racial riots of 1968 (six days before Independence Day) and those of 1999. Most of us will do everything to avoid such incidents. Among those who help in creating divisions are socio-cultural groups. It has long been a political tradition to support these groups, which in turn provide politicians with a certain lobby and some votes. Each ethnic group has at least one socio-cultural association that exists primarily to support its community, but essentially operates in the political arena as second liners to actual politicians.

The political situation, in any country, never receives unanimous agreement. There will always be fans and haters. In Mauritius, the colorful creole language allows for blade-sharp witty verbal exchanges. It all adds to the fun.  The forthcoming general election should happen in 2024, when the fifth year of mandate is completed by the ruling party.  Mauritians do think that there might be an anticipated exercise and we may be called to polling stations sooner. This remains only a perception, unless a political bomb explodes or that the actual government wants to strike a strategic blow, taking its opponent by surprise. In any case, I’m always looking at the folkloric things : public meetings with politicians shouting their throats out, people having an opportunity to dance on the streets, flags and colors draping the whole island, social media memes and discussions.

There’s no right or left wing here, no democrats nor republicans. We just have political parties, political figures, interesting alliances (and divorces) – and sons / daughters of past leaders.

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