Mauritius: President refuses to resign March 14 /update 2

Event

On Wednesday, March 14, President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim refused to resign from office over allegations of financial misconduct despite previous indication that she would do so. President Gurib-Fakim’s office released a statement, claiming that the accusations against the president are false and that she will provide evidence to prove her innocence. The statement contradicts Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, who announced on March 9 that Gurib-Fakim would resign following independence celebrations on Monday, March 12. Demonstrations against the president are possible in the coming days.

Context

The government decided on March 8 to launch impeachment proceedings against President Gurib-Fakim after news broke of her involvement in a financial scandal. A local newspaper, L’Express, reported that Fakim spent several hundred thousand rupees on personal purchases using a platinum credit card offered by a non-governmental organization called Planet Earth Institute (PEI). PEI is owned by Álvaro Sobrinho, a controversial Angolan businessman, who initially worked with the president to offer scholarships to Mauritian students. The president claims to have reimbursed the money.

Advice

Individuals in Mauritius are advised to stay informed of the evolving sociopolitical climate in the coming weeks and to avoid all protests as a precaution.