Sheila Bunwaree
Sheila_bun@yahoo.co.uk
The landslide victory of L’Alliance du Changement in November 2024 was built on several promises, particularly as regards the functioning of our institutions. The MSM’s unethical governance was one of the many reasons as to why it was booted out. The electoral manifesto/programme of the Alliance du Changement (ReA, ND, LP and MMM) is replete with references to integrity, accountability, transparency, meritocracy. However, what has happened at the National Empowerment Foundation regarding the selection/recruitment exercise is rather disturbing. Stéphane Hessel’s “Indignez-vous!” should resonate in the same way that it did in November 2024. Mauritians must not tolerate parliamentarians crossing red lines knowingly or unknowingly.
Ethical Governance
Euphoria around the historical victory regarding our sovereignty on the Chagos as well as the challenges associated with presenting a ‘’palatable’ budget” should not serve as reasons to ignore other pressing issues which can threaten our social cohesion. The ‘WRONGS’ of the recruitment exercise at the National Empowerment Foundation should not be buried. Ethical governance is about ensuring high moral standards in decision-making, procedures and operations. Ethical governance is foundational to the well-being and sustainability of a nation.
It would be foolhardy to think that Mauritian citizens will quietly accept the stance and the route adopted by the REA over the recent controversial recruitment exercise. Mauritians voted for meaningful change, for real rupture – in short for ethical governance.
Promises of the Government Programme
The Government programme 2025-2029 at Para 6 notes:
‘…Government will reinstate the independence of public institutions to enhance effectiveness, efficiency and credibility… Government is committed to restoring the TRUST of the Nation in independent and impartial institutions – Government will foster ETHICS and INTEGRITY as core values in ALL walks of life…”
Para 10 tells us:
“An Ethics and Integrity Commissioner will be appointed to advise public and private entities on the implementation of policies and practices that will facilitate compliance with principles of integrity and good governance…”
And further down, the same document notes:
“…Government will set up a Senior Officials Appointment Committee which will make recommendations to Government on the appointment of heads of public institutions…’
Whether these promises will come to fruition, only time will tell. Meanwhile, we are confronted with a situation if unaddressed will bring disillusionment.
The ReA’s half-baked search
for transparency and accountability
That Mauritius has for many years thrived on the exploitation and oppression of workers, on opaque methods of selection and recruitment, jeopardizing young peoples’ futures, and provoking massive brain drain is well known. That the ReA played a significant role in making L’Alliance du Changement gain in credibility in November 2024 cannot be denied. ReA’s activism and sustained narratives around social justice, inclusion, transparency, meritocracy etc resonate with significant segments of the population. Today, however, it may be legitimate to ask whether there is a disconnect between ReA’s discourses and its functioning on the ground. Occupying a ministerial position does not entitle one to do as one decides. The ‘We are Government, we decide’ of the MSM regime is etched in the memory of the average Mauritian. The latter will not condone arrogance and opacity any more.
The ReA’s Interview Panel
The Minister’s partner and his Junior minister, constituting the interview panel is shocking, to say the least. To top it all, we learn that the Minister’s campaign manager is amongst the recruitees. The points advanced by KP, the Junior Minister, and AS, the substantive Minister, seem to fly in the face. How on earth can someone with KP’s intellect and AS’s deep knowledge of why institutions often fail, come up with such pitiful justifications as heard so far regarding the selection and recruitment exercise?
A glimmer of hope vanishing into thin air
When Ashok Subron’s Ministry published the call for ‘expression of interest’, many Mauritians, including myself said: ‘Wow’, ‘Kudos’ to him and his team”. A breath of fresh air, a glimmer of hope towards the restoration of trust, meritocracy and greater justice. What followed has brought a sense of disillusionment. Explanations offered are flimsy and unacceptable. What is even more disturbing is that there is no regret, no recognition whatsoever of the ‘wrong done’. No apologies whatsoever to the hundreds of families whose aspirations for a better and more just future have been shattered. ‘Auto critique’ may be a great quality but not sufficient at this juncture!
Words such as ‘transparency, accountability, meritocracy’ which were hammered into our brains during the electoral campaign seem to no longer form part of Mr Subron’s lexicon. Instead we heard him describing his move ’as ‘Inédit’. He even spoke of ‘best practices’. Best practices cannot emerge out of a half-baked exercise. Starting very well with an open call/expression of interest but then adopting a method rightly described by Labour MP Eshan Juman as ‘honteuse and inacceptable’’. Ashok Subron may not share Juman’s views nor those of MP Raviraj Beechook for that matter but many Mauritians do. It would however be very good if these 2 parliamentarians and others denounce ALL other wrongdoings, particularly nominations/appointments which appear not to be aligned with meritocracy, accountability and transparent processes. Keeping silent is being complicit! But being conveniently selective is also unethical.
The Right to Recall
I remember very well ensuring the inclusion of ‘The Right to recall’ in the 2019 manifesto of the MMM. I was then heading the Policy Council of the Party. The ‘Right to Recall’ has been in the air for a while now. L’Alliance du Changement and some other political parties also included it in their manifesto in 2024. Such a piece of legislation empowers the citizen. It is an important tool which can serve to sanction parliamentarians who may have crossed certain red lines.
Mauritius has lost its democratic sheen as a result of the malfunctioning and bad governance of the MSM regime. The cronyism, nepotism and clientelism revealed by the Moustass leaks, led, amongst others, to its downfall. Trust and credibility of our institutions will no doubt take time to be re-established. ReA’s gross mistake has shaken the nation’s confidence. Some may argue that what ReA has done is perfectly legal but what is LEGAL is not ALWAYS MORAL.
My appeal to Ashok Subron and Kugan Parapen
There is nothing personal in my judgement and analysis of what has happened. Both Ashok and Kugan are people that I have always held in high esteem. I am convinced that, as true patriots, they have the capacity to rectify this mistake. The recent recruitment exercise can be annulled. An independent selection committee can be instituted. A fresh call for “expression of interest’’ can be made, thus dissipating all doubts, clearing the air and more importantly send the right signal that “CHANGE CAN BE MEANINGFUL.” “Best practices’’ can actually be found. But if for any reason, ReA decides to stick to its position, the PM and the government have the necessary leeway to take remedial action. It is in the nation’s best interest that the right signal be given. This applies to other nominations too. Only then will a TRUE CULTURE of transparency and Accountability start taking root. We cannot allow the dream of a better, cleaner and more just Mauritius wither away!
