Mauritian politics, a new wave

A new wave sweeping over Mauritius
by GDL




I last wrote my opinion piece one week before the general elections in Mauritius and was more concerned about the fate of Paul Raymond Berenger,( His last chance or his last mistake). I had a feeling at that  he was making his last mistake but was at the same time playing his "va tout". I sensed that PRB knew it was the last joker he could play. I also sensed that the Labour Party of Navin Ramgoolam was at its weakest point as it was unconceivable that people of Mauritius would vote Navin in power following the many scandals, nepotism, corruptions, cover up, Nadaneee Soornak's affair, Gooljaury Eben tower's magouille, Betamax, MTID, etc... everywhere you looked was smelling rotten. But this is the Mauritian Labour Party's culture and it has been so since SSR with the corrupt ministers like Badry and Daby, SKJ, the Amsterdam boys, ministre molleton, you name it.
In 2010 Navin Ramgoolam was already out but managed to hang on to power thanks to a last minute alliance with the MSM. In 2014 things were different.
The people of Mauritius are patient, they follow politics closely, they were eagerly waiting for the time to give Navin Ramgoolam the boot. The writings were already on the walls. Navin Ramggolam probably knew that his days were numbered, so he had to find a way to hang on to power by hook or by crook. He knew that he has been a very bad PM who has given his blessings to all the corruptions, nepotism and cronyism which occurred during his "reign". But he had the ambition of continuing to reign over Mauritius and enjoy all the power and privilege conferred to him as PM. So, he had to find someone who would help him to realise his ultimate dream of being a full power President of Mauritius. He then invited his good friend PRB to koz kozer and gave him  the biggest and most delicious bait: the post of PM which PRB has always ambitioned.
PRB should know that Navin was only using him as a "requin" to stay in power and avoid facing the justice system for all his wrongdoings, but he played the game.  The MMM bureau politique also saw that was a unique opportunity for PRB to be PM, even even if   a PM "marionette". Shocking decision/analysis from the MMM which has always been a "clean" party !!!
However all this dream of Navin and Paul turned into a nightmare on December 10 when they people of Mauritius showed them that they cannot be taken forgranted. Time for recrimination and time for clean up had arrived. So the people expressed themselves clearly and squarely but saying NO to the MMM/PRT alliance, NO to the second republic, NO to Navin as full-power President, NO to PRB as PM( marionette or not). The message was clear, we do not want Navin and Paul any more.






Since the installation of the new SAJ government, the people of Mauritius saw a new style, a new way of governing, a new hope for the country. But most of all the new government stuck to its promise during the campaign i.e. to clean up Mauritius and to put it on a new path. A new wind is now blowing from a new wave. This is what the people voted for and what they expect from "their" new government. The new government of SAJ began on a positive note to increase the old age pension and to fix the water problem and make sure that the expectations of the people are met. The political nominees and other super advisers were given their marching orders and investigations carried out on past wrongdoings. The scandals of allocating state land to the friends of Navin Ramgoolam were brought to light as well as the contract of Airways coffee among others came up to the delight of " Le pep".


What really happened at Roches Noires bungalow are now being uncovered and it becomes clear that Navin Ramgoolam was having a party at his bungalow with his mistress Nandanee Soornak and others. The intriguing part is whether that famous party and the breaking that night in the bungalow has is a direct link with the death of the poor man in custody! Was he deliberately "killed" because he surprised Navin in company of Nandanee all alone? Did he blackmailed Navin? Was there a fight between the two or  whether he threatened Navin with a knife and stole his rolex en passant?There is a version which stipulates that Navin was too scared that the man would  "talk"  of what he saw in the bedroom and from there the need to "silence" him. Was there suicide or was he killed by some " men" directed from above? This is the question.
The investigation is underway but it seems clear that somehow Navin will have to answer whether he was the mastermind behind the whole saga/plot. SAJ promisedduring the electoral campaign that "Si mo pa envoy Navin endan, mo change mon nom". Was he in possession for all the information then to be brave enough to give such an undertaking to the people ? We will soon find out.




Coming back to PRB, it was indeed his last mistake as I mentioned in my last blog. Not a tactical  mistake but a strategic and a fatal one which proved that he is just an amateur who could not read the mood of the electorate. Now  it is too late for him to recognise  that Navin was so unpopular; but the paradox is that he is the one who contributed to make Navin so unpopular. Bizzare isn't it? Who is the reasonable person who would ally with a very very unpopular person  ? The answer is :the stupid PRB. So rest in  peace PRB and Navin as you are gone for ever. Le pep na pli envi trouv zot ni zordi ni demain..