In the week of August 28, Mauritius saw a cabinet reshuffle with the appointment of two new ministers. The island also celebrated the bond between brothers and sisters during the Raksha Bandhan festivities. Additionally, Mauritius secured the 45th position in the 2022 Rule of Law Index, assessing global rule of law standards.
Cabinet reshuffle: Swearing-in of two new ministers
A significant cabinet reshuffle unfolded on Wednesday, featuring the swearing-in of two new ministers, Dorine Christiane Chuckowry and Anjiv Ramdhany, at State House during a late afternoon ceremony.
Dorine Chuckowry, Member of Parliament representing constituency no. 1 for the Mouvement Socialiste Militant (MSM), has assumed the role of Minister of Commerce. Anjiv Ramdhany, previously serving as Private Parliamentary Secretary (PPS) for constituency no. 6, now holds the position of Minister for the Civil Service. Both were elected in the 2019 parliamentary elections and have now earned these promotions within the government.
This cabinet reshuffle follows the resignation of Yogida Sawmynaden in February 2021, who was temporarily replaced by Labour Minister Soodesh Callichurn until these recent appointments. Vikram Hurdoyal, present at the swearing-in ceremony, has been assigned to the Ministry of Agro-Industry. Furthermore, Maneesh Gobin, Attorney General, will now oversee the Foreign Affairs portfolio.
The reshuffle has also ushered in the appointment of four new Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPS): Sandra Mayotte, Subhasnee Luchmun-Roy, Vikash Nuckcheddy, and Kenny Dhunoo, who will be tasked with various responsibilities in different constituencies.
Raksha Bandhan celebration: Focusing on fraternal bonds
Yesterday, homes across the island were aglow with the joyous celebration of Raksha Bandhan. Rooted deep in Mauritian culture, this festival symbolizes the affection shared between brothers and sisters, as well as the protection that brothers pledge to provide their sisters.
The celebration involves several significant rituals, including the tying of the rakhi around the brother's right wrist, signifying his commitment to safeguard and cherish his sister. Other rituals encompass aarti, the application of sacred powder (tilak) on the forehead, symbolizing the recognition of strength, and the exchange of sweet delicacies like ladoos. Raksha Bandhan embodies core values such as love, brotherhood, devotion, and mutual respect. The sacred knot, symbolizing protection, is designed to ward off negative influences and ensure the brother's well-being.
Rule of Law Index 2022: Mauritius ranks 45th among 140 countries
Mauritius maintains its position in the World Justice Project's (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2022, ranking 45th out of 140 countries and jurisdictions, with a consistent score of 0.61 since 2019 regarding the adherence to the rule of law. On the African continent, the island nation has risen to the second position, closely following Rwanda.
The index assesses various aspects of the rule of law, beginning with the checks placed on those in power by the legal system, including constitutional and institutional mechanisms. In this category, Mauritius ranks 47th globally but stands 6th in Africa, trailing countries like Ghana, Namibia, South Africa, Rwanda, and Botswana.
The second factor delves into governmental corruption, encompassing issues like bribery, undue influence, and misuse of public funds. Here, Mauritius is placed 46th globally and second in Africa.
The third criterion evaluates government transparency, information sharing, and citizen engagement. Mauritius ranks 60th worldwide and fourth in Africa in this category.
These in-depth assessments also cover additional areas such as the protection of fundamental rights (46th), maintenance of order and security (59th), law enforcement (36th), civil justice (37th), and criminal justice (47th), providing a comprehensive overview of the state of the rule of law in Mauritius according to the WJP.
