
The Alliance of Change government, led by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, has reached a crucial stage in its political reform efforts. These reforms include changes to the electoral system and the mandate of the Constitutional Review Commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Bernard Sik Yuen. A key priority is a constitutional amendment to remove the requirement for candidates in general elections to declare their communal affiliation. This amendment, similar to one in July 2014, will be presented to the National Assembly. The government has secured the assent of the Electoral Supervisory Commission and Electoral Commissioner Irfan Rahman for the proposed constitutional and legal provisions. Two bills, the Constitution Amendment Bill and the Constitutional Review Commission Bill, were discussed by the Council of Ministers. The electoral system reform, which includes introducing a proportional representation component and female parliamentary representation, will be addressed separately through consultations. A report summarizing public consultations on electoral reform is expected within 15 days. The Constitutional Review Commission, whose members include Senior Counsel Yanilla Moonshiram and former Director of Public Prosecutions Satyajit Boolell, will deepen and consolidate the Republic's institutions by recommending constitutional amendments to enhance the legal framework, protect fundamental rights, and strengthen public institutions. For Rodrigues, a High-Level Committ
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Must ReadMauritius has unveiled the first draft of its Vision 2050 national strategy, aiming to increase its Gross Domestic Product to $50 billion by 2050, a significant jump from the projected $29 billion under current trends. This ambitious "50 by 50" goal requires generating an additional $21 billion in wealth, representing a 72% increase. The strategy, presented by the Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, Jyoti Jeetun, emphasizes strategic infrastructure investments, labor market reforms, enhanced economic integration with Africa, and strengthening the Mauritian financial center, particularly leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Agreement. However, the plan raises concerns, most notably a potential deficit of 390,000 to 500,000 workers by 2050, which could profoundly impact various sectors including construction, tourism, industry, agriculture, and public services. To address this, the report suggests increasing labor force participation, continuous training, and a targeted talent attraction strategy. The government has opened the draft for public consultation until August 7, 2026, a period deemed too short by some for a comprehensive review of a document outlining the country's future for the next 25 years. Questions have been raised regarding the specifics of the $50 billion GDP target nominal vs. real value, required annual growth rates, investment levels, financing methods, and the proportion of foreign workers needed to fill the labor gap, along with

The proposed M4 motorway, a 29.7-kilometer project connecting Forbach and Bel-Air, is set to begin construction before the end of 2026, with work expected to last 30 months. National Infrastructure Minister Ajay Gunness announced the timeline during a site visit with India's High Commissioner to Mauritius, Anurag Srivastava, and representatives from Exim Bank of India. The government views the M4 as essential for developing the East and managing increased traffic. However, Member of Parliament Joanna Bérenger has challenged the 10.8 billion rupee expenditure, citing difficult budgetary conditions and questioning the project's environmental studies and economic justification. The M4 aims to provide a direct link between the North and Eastern towns, featuring a dual two-lane carriageway. An extension to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is also under consideration. Gunness asserts that all regulatory requirements, including environmental considerations, will be met. During a parliamentary session on July 21, Bérenger questioned Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Navin Ramgoolam about the project, highlighting the contradiction between calls for public spending rationalization and the significant investment in the M4, especially given the need to absorb additional social expenses like old-age pensions. She also raised concerns that environmental assessments still need completion or validation, despite the initial route being revised to avoid sensitive areas lik

Living Change, founded by Charlene Van Zyl and Patricia Gooden-Husbands, is set to open the Dementia Wellness Hub on September 1st in Roches-Brunes, Mauritius. This initiative aims to provide a centralized and holistic solution for dementia care, addressing the current fragmented system. The founders won the Innovation Challenge prize in 2025 from La Turbine for their vision. Charlene Van Zyl emphasizes that dementia is not a normal part of aging, and a lack of awareness often delays diagnosis and access to support. The hub will offer validation therapies, cognitive activities, and psychological support under one roof. It will collaborate with Cambridge Cognition to implement Cantap, a digital tool for early cognitive screening to accelerate diagnosis and specialist referrals. Beyond medical care, the project seeks to alleviate the economic and emotional burden on families and the workforce by training staff in person-centered care and integrating digital screening, thereby reducing caregiver burnout and improving productivity. Supported by the Ministry of Health and private sector experts, this multisectoral approach offers a scalable model for a resilient and sustainable care economy in Mauritius. Charlene Van Zyl highlights the global impact of dementia, with 57 million people currently living with the condition and an estimated 130 million cases expected worldwide within 25 years. She stresses the importance of seeing the person beyond the diagnosis, stating that a diagno