[2025 Retrospective] Repair, Reform, Rebuild

2025 will be remembered as a pivotal year in the country’s recent political history. Amid popular expectations, economic urgencies, and the need to restore trust in institutions, Mauritius has embarked on a delicate yet decisive transition under the leadership of the Alliance of Change, headed by Navin Ramgoolam.

The initial months served to assess the situation without complacency. Revelations about public finances and institutional dysfunctions highlighted the magnitude of the challenges ahead. Without succumbing to haste, the new government opted for a methodical approach, emphasizing rigor, method, and adherence to procedures.

2025 may not have been the year of immediate miracles, but it marked the beginning of significant changes: a break from certain past practices, a shift in parliamentary operations, and a new approach to addressing national priorities. This retrospective revisits the notable events that characterized this transitional year, month by month.

January — Investigations, Drought, and Policy Speech

The month begins with an intensification of several investigations into the management of public funds under the previous regime. The Rs 15 billion contract awarded by the State Trading Corporation to Mercantile and Maritime Group comes under scrutiny, while the Financial Crimes Commission expands its investigations to various public bodies. At the National Transport Company, former CEO Rao Ramah is questioned about his assets estimated at Rs 125 million.

The Mauritius Investment Corporation (MIC) is at the center of a major political and financial scandal, with public funds allegedly misappropriated by Pulse Analytics to finance biased electoral surveys and lavish expenditures, revealing connections to former senior officials and associates of the previous government.

The water crisis emerges as a national urgency. Minister Patrick Assirvaden presents an alarming report on declining reservoir levels and announces an emergency plan. The decommissioning of the Cluny and Nouvelle-France reservoirs, representing an investment of Rs 122 million, fuels debate over the management of public infrastructure.

The month ends with the presentation of the 2025-2029 policy speech, A Bridge to the Future, outlining major orientations: stabilization of public finances, economic recovery, strengthening of the rule of law, and restoration of institutional trust.

February — Memory and Arrest of Pravind Jugnauth

Commemorations of the 190th anniversary of the abolition of slavery at Morne set the tone for a month marked by history and justice. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam delivers a speech focused on memory, dignity, and national unity.

Judicially, February sees a notable intensification. Former Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth and his wife are questioned in a money laundering investigation, following searches revealing over Rs 114 million in cash and valuables. Businessmen Rakesh and Prameshwar Gooljaury are arrested concerning irregular loans of Rs 1.2 billion granted by Maubank.

A concerning case involves the police themselves: four officers are arrested in a case concerning the disappearance of Rs 1.6 million during a raid. These events underscore the extensive institutional clarification work that remains to be done.

The month closes on a positive diplomatic note with Navin Ramgoolam’s participation in the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, signaling a desire to reposition the country on the continental stage.

March — Modi's Visit and Democratic Rebirth

March is dominated by Independence celebrations and the official visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A series of strategic agreements solidify the Indo-Mauritian partnership: a local currency payment system, a credit line for hydraulic infrastructure, and enhanced maritime security cooperation. The standout announcement remains Indian support for the construction of a new Parliament.

Local democracy comes back to life. The issuance of writs of election for the municipal elections on May 4 ends nearly a decade without local elections. Amendments introduce a supplementary electoral register for youth and same-day ballot counting, enhancing transparency and participation.

Judicial activity remains intense with the arrest of Maneesh Gobin, former Attorney General, in the Stag Party-Eco Deer Park case, and ongoing investigations against Rakesh Gooljaury for alleged tax evasion of Rs 65.6 million.

The 2023-2024 Audit Report reveals serious dysfunctions in public finance management, confirming concerning debt levels inherited from the previous MSM regime.