For Mauritius to return to the path of democracy – let alone an “exemplary” one – there is a long and winding road ahead. Weeds must be pulled, obstacles leveled, and empty rhetoric replaced with real reforms. The government must move beyond slogans and begin delivering on the key promises in its manifesto, which were reiterated in the President’s address. It must establish a clear timetable that considers the state’s limited financial resources. So far, the so-called government of change has been anything but transformative, maintaining an unnecessarily large cabinet, including ten junior ministers, despite calls for efficiency. Meanwhile, austerity measures previously ignored by the former regime should be back on the table, underscoring the need for fiscal discipline in these challenging times.

How did we get here?

The Fall of a Model!

In April 2021, Mauritius saw its status as a democratic beacon for Africa dim significantly. The V-Dem Report from Swedish researchers ranked the country among the top ten “autocratizing” nations, downgrading it from a “liberal democracy” to an “electoral democracy.” The findings were damning: Mauritius is viewed as a country where elections take place but where critical democratic checks and balances have eroded.

The decline came with further economic setbacks. After being listed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) gray list and the European Union’s blacklist, Mauritius was added to the United Kingdom’s list of High-Risk Third Countries, subjecting local financial transactions to stricter oversight. The government, however, downplayed these warnings while avoiding necessary reforms.

Democracy in Decline Worldwide.

In March 2022, V-Dem reported that democracy was regressing in 32 countries, with only 15 showing improvement. In sub-Saharan Africa, Mauritius joined eleven other nations in democratic decline. Despite these warnings, the Jugnauth administration has failed to enact crucial reforms: no Freedom of Information Act, no electoral reform, and no independent television network. Instead, key public institutions remain staffed by loyalists, reinforcing executive dominance.

This decline reflects a troubling global trend. Liberal democracies are at their lowest number in 26 years, while autocratic regimes now govern 70% of the world’s population. The autonomy of electoral commissions has been undermined by political appointments, eroding both freedom of expression and the rule of law.

The Final Alarm !

By 2023, Mauritius was again ranked among the world’s fastest autocratizing nations. Once a model for Africa, the country now faces internal pressures: a lack of political pluralism, state control of institutions, and democratic stagnation. Standardized international assessments highlight the nation’s failure to meet democratic benchmarks.

As Mauritius prepares to celebrate its 57th year of independence, calls to restore institutional integrity are growing. The independence of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), already under threat from controversial legislation, will be safeguarded. Democratic forces must unite to restore the rule of law and bring the nation back to the path of genuine governance.Restoring democracy requires not just political will but urgent systemic reform.