The writings were on the wall, for quite some time. The MSM-PMSD-ML-MPM-Plateforme Militante political coalition has experienced the bitter taste of defeat on 11 November 2024. Heavily sanctioned by the population across the country, despite having the state apparatus in their hands, the MSM-PMSD-ML-MPM-Plateforme Militante alliance has had to concede that they now have to part ways with political power. This is definitely a hard blow for the outgoing Prime Minister, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, who was confident of securing a third consecutive mandate. A score of 60-0 in favour of the Labour-MMM-ND-REA coalition only means one thing; the people have had enough and collectively expressed their disgust and displeasure. No biased media platforms, no threats, no influencers, no mud-slinging or hitting below-the-belt tactics could have dissuaded Mauritians from voting otherwise. The inhabitants have impatiently hit the voting centres early morning on Sunday 10 November 2024, bringing their own pens as they dreaded the prospects of erasable ink, amidst rumours of electoral fraud. In fact, the atmosphere has been fraught with paranoia all along, as the then opposition sympathisers feared that ballot boxes could have been tampered with. Over the years, the misgivings pertaining to our national institutions have seeped deep into the psyche of Mauritians. All trust was lost.
The Abhorrence of Political Turncoats
One of the major turn-offs, which significantly contributed to the drastic swing in the electorate, has been the impact of political turncoats. One of the notable examples is Mr Xavier-Luc Duval, who was the Leader of the Opposition and suddenly decided that he would be a better fit in a possible MSM-PMSD-ML-MPM-Plateforme Militante coalition. Despite rumours swelling, he denied that he would be joining the government, till the very last second. Mauritians are not gullible. Secret pacts have been sealed behind closed doors, which ended up alienating some of the die-hard PMSD fan base as well as those who were still figuring out which candidate to vote for. When Mr Xavier-Luc Duval did eventually come out, he was met with ridicule. On top of that, his son was propelled to the constitutional post of Speaker of the National Assembly of Mauritius. What a deal! Unfortunately, the deal of the century for the father-son duo turned out to be catastrophic and ended up being the loss of the century.
The downfall has been brutal. The father-son arrangement has been viewed as an act of betrayal towards the nation. The credibility of the father as the former Leader of the Opposition has been thrust into disarray. Has it all been a pretence? By sailing on two boats, he gave the impression of plotting behind our backs. He has double-crossed people who voted for him, believed in him, admired him for his sharp-edged Private Notice Questions. Some of his party members wisely chose to walk away. Those who stayed by his side, paid the ultimate price.
Institutionalised Systemic Corruption
The attributed paranoia of the die-hard Labour-MMM-ND-REA members understandably boils down to one essential element. Distrust. Distrust of all institutions of the country. No wonder they kept an eye on the ballot boxes at all times. There is the perception of an overall institutionalised systemic corruption at ALL levels. The national media channels, the police force, the judiciary, the state and parastatal bodies; all these instances have been blemished with allegations of favouritism and tampering. With political nominees present everywhere to carry out the orders of the ministers, the inhabitants have become silent spectators of the massacre happening in front of them. When only a handful benefits from juicy state contracts, inevitably questions crop up. The carnage of contracts and allegations of corruption during the COVID-19 era comes to mind. Mauritians remember exactly who benefited from emergency contracts while we were compelled to stay in red zones. Daylight robbery could happen as per their will, while we stayed blissfully ignorant in state-imposed curfews. We could not see, hear nor say anything then as we huddled into our armchairs, listening to the threats meted against us if we failed to wear a face mask or keep within the limitations of our red zones.
Not surprisingly, after the long hiatus due to COVID-19, when questions were legitimately asked, they automatically remained unanswered. The golden boys and girls conveniently got away scot free and there seemed to be no real interest in pursuing a proper investigation to see whether nepotism prevailed. Worse, the investigation into the death of notorious MSM agent, Mr Soopramanien Kistnen, has been stalled time and again. People have not forgotten that his death has been initially classified as a suicide! What a cover-up! Intriguingly, no-one seems to have any idea about why and how he was killed. If someone of the MSM gang is ruthlessly slaughtered, what about the rest of the common lot? If there is no mercy for Mr Kistnen nor for the family he has left behind, can we even hope that we can benefit from free and fair justice for all?
Last but not least, the coup de grâce came from the leaked telephone calls made public by Missie Moustass. Since 18 October 2024, Missie Moustass, an anonymous source, has published excerpts of telephone conversations between major stakeholders in the decision-making process of Mauritius. As expected, a close-knit clique has been exposed for interfering in matters related to recruitment, nomination and persecution. The wife of the outgoing Prime Minister has been downright condemned due to her alleged interference in matters of the state, although she was not an elected member of parliament. By giving out orders to ministers, political advisors, police and religious stakeholders, she has succeeded in bringing together the population, which rightfully was revolted by her meddling antics. Who was actually running the show? The parliamentarians who have been duly elected or was it a ‘one-woman’ show? The ballot boxes have said their piece.
29 August 2020: ‘BLD’
The Wakashio debacle led to the much hyped phrase ‘BLD’, which has again loudly echoed throughout the island during the electoral campaign. On 29 August 2020, Mauritians descended upon the capital city of Port Louis in hordes, to vent their frustration against the out-of-touch MSM-ML-MPM-Plateforme Militante government. ‘BLD (kick him out) was chanted by the people in unison, as they proudly waved our national flag and called out our rulers. The ill-fated Wakashio shipwreck led to inestimable environmental disaster, soiling our pristine lagoon, our marine life and the livelihoods of countless people. Why was Wakashio allowed to come so close to our maritime zones? Why didn’t anybody flag its presence? Why did the authorities delay so much in taking action? What were they trying to hide?
Faced with the calamity that frontally hit us, the people decided to take matters into their own hands. Everyone, including students, rallied to build oil booms or get donations for those who were directly affected by the shipwreck. Members of the Mauritian Diaspora Community extended a generous helping hand towards their countrymen and that unity has been firmly entrenched since. Had the government been attuned to the concerns of the population THEN, maybe they would have taken care to avoid their disastrous electoral outcome. The fury of the people was palpable. However, as everything else, our legitimate apprehensions were brushed under the carpet. Instead, we were gaslighted into thinking that we were a waste of time and space. The outgoing government can only reap the consequences now. ‘BLD’ has returned with force and vigour, blasting through each and every single street in Mauritius.
A Note of Caution from the Public
Once the initial euphoria of elections wears away and hard work actually starts to rebuild the nation, we the people, have high expectations. After 10 years of being treated like underdogs, we wish to remind our governors that power is temporary and remains in our hands. We will be watchful and mindful of what goes on in our country. Who knows whether Missie Moustass might play the reverse card and spill the beans on the other side? We will be there, at every step of the way, for the future of our children. The spectre of ‘BLD’ will always loom over us.
I will end by quoting an article I wrote in Le Mauricien on 29 August 2020, while I was marching with my people in Port Louis. This is an admonition of what people can achieve together:
Why I am marching today
I am a citizen of the Republic of Mauritius. I love my country. I care about my country. I worry about my country’s wellbeing. And this is why I am marching today.
I am going to the peaceful march today in Port Louis. No, I am not a member of any political parties. I am not representing any individual’s vested interests. I am not driven by ethnic considerations. I am not naive. I am not going to further anyone’s personal agenda. I am patriotic. And this is why I am marching today.
The only colours I subscribe to are the four colours of our national flag. I stand for the principles of democracy. I believe in freedom of expression. I respect others’ opinions, even if they do not agree with the march. I do not want censorship to take over. And this is why I am marching today.
I am against violence. I want peace to prevail. I pray that accountability and transparency define our institutions. Each step I take echoes the feeling of belonging with my fellow countrymen and countrywomen. And this is why I am marching today.
I want my voice to be heard though I will be marching silently. I will be reflecting on my country’s future. It is time to put everything in perspective. A time to let go of one’s ego. To claim that we should be treated equally in this country. There are no inferiors, no superiors. And this is why I am marching today.
Not everyone can be present though their thoughts are with us. I will be marching for my country, for those who cannot be physically present. It is a time to ponder on consolidating national unity. We need to stand up for our country, as one. And this is why I am marching today.”
Bhawna Atmaram