Once the people embark like a bolting horse on the path towards a stronger democratic representation and governance, it is important to bear in mind the following important considerations. This is a partial assessment unfortunately as we don’t seem to always have the full picture in politics.
1. It takes a charismatic figure to inspire the people enduring prolonged explosive frustration culminating into a real crusade. In Tunisia, we all remember the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi. However, the use of such a figure should not lead to another cult of personality or any further dogmatic public involvement. Mauritian democracy does not require parallel governance structures through apolitical “Citizens Advisory Bureaus” but stronger and fairer institutional safeguards.
2. Public opinion is volatile. If there was unified engagement from the people, once the oppressor is gone, people factionalized again quickly and it is important to properly pave the way forward so that we don’t fall into the utopian idea that the country cannot move forward without radical change. The return to stability is key and reform can happen with time as long as a commitment for change is vowed by a newly elected Government. This is even more vital given the current climate and social economic global impact with COVID; we don’t want to experience the same “disappointment” of so many contemporary citizenry revolutions.
3. Whilst the layperson only wants genuine change and social justice especially in such difficult times, “racketeers” may want to take advantage of the context and use it venomously for their own personal aspirations. Let us not be duped and march forward with a critical thought and realistic roadmap. Some of the individuals who made themselves public following the protest seem to have been deviously amongst the masterminds in the background. The rhetoric made by these defrocked characters with unethical track records that it’s “fine” to receive advantages from politicians is completely side-tracking from what the citizens are asking for. This is exactly what MAURITIANS DON’T WANT ANYMORE. Would our gentlemen have mocked up intentions to take revenge on their former buddies?
Also worth noting that another alleged “apolitical” figure we discovered representing our Mauritian “Jeanne d’Arc” was cited in the Drug Commission Report in 2018, which stated that it “recommends that further enquiry be undertaken and leaves it to the relevant authorities to take any action they may deem fit”.
4. Let us also not forget how external forces have always influenced the reshaping of countries following such important protests and not be duped on the role that our “friendly countries” can play in the aftermath and have played in our history especially in the 1980s. Unfortunately, the meddling of these countries will never be known by us, normal citizens, and on the other hand, opposition movements will be desperately in need of international support in their struggle against the regime and some expect outside countries or international media to advocate in their favour.
This protest as most of us voiced for on Saturday is about a new order. We need politicians who understand the struggle of the oppressed and are ready to take action with empathy and conviction, who in today’s world are bestowed with genuine values and principles to protect their country’s interest and its people. Our transition towards change should be as smooth as possible and triggered by general elections with a “transitional” Government which engages into a Second Republic. Our Mauritian Diaspora has a role to play not only in the voting processes but within the Parliament as well. Unlike what Government thinks, the Diaspora might be the real “apolitical” figures. 