Mauritius’ Leader Takes Tiny Island Nation to Unprecedented Boom

Prime Minister Sir Aneerood Jugnauth has surprised all those--both friends and foes--who viewed him as just a figurehead when he took office six years ago.

Far from resting on the ceremony of his office, Jugnauth has presided over an unprecedented economic boom for his island nation, surmounted several political crises and scandals, and narrowly escaped assassination Nov. 6.

No one sees him as a figurehead now.

“Since 1983, I had to follow a tough line, inculcate discipline at all levels, especially among the working class,” the 58-year-old leader said in an interview. “I had to assure industrial and social stability. Of course, (that has been) coupled with political stability, which brought in the confidence required on the part of investors to come here.”

Destined for Important Role

He added: “I must say I have had lots of problems since I started, but I think I have a strength in that I am sincere in what I am doing. I believe that our country has a great future. I have always believed that we are destined to play an important role in this region, especially economically, and I have always had the will to pull on.

“Unlike many other politicians, I don’t mind even if I have to take unpopular measures in the interest of the country to do it.”

When he took office, many felt Jugnauth was chosen solely because he was a Hindu, since Hindus make up two-thirds of the tiny Indian Ocean island’s 1 million people.

Nevertheless, it was during a Hindu religious service Nov. 6 that a Hindu priest was disarmed as he held a gun to Jugnauth’s head. The motives of the alleged assailant, who is facing charges of attempted murder, remain unclear.

‘Risk Is Always There’

Jugnauth said: “I must tell you that since 1983, wherever I go, I always have the apprehension that something may happen to me some day. I am exposed. The risk is always there.

“But I was a bit shocked because I never thought in the place where I was, surrounded by the kind of people I was surrounded by, in whom I have 100% trust, that they would ever do anything to harm me, and the danger came from that source, from that quarter. This is what shocked me.”

But many Mauritians still see the prime minister as a prime mover.

Said Finance Minister Vishnu Lutchmeenaraido: “The world today acknowledges the fact we are a progressive country, wedded to the ideals of democracy and secularism. Much of the credit of the gigantic economic and industrial development of recent times . . . goes to the prime minister.”