Paul Bérenger resigns from the MMM, signaling a major shift in Mauritian politics
via Le Mauricien5 min read
Paul Bérenger has resigned from the Mouvement Militant Mauricien MMM, the party he founded in 1969. His daughter, Joanna Bérenger, and Chetan Baboolall also left the party, submitting a joint letter to the party's secretary-general. Bérenger described his departure as a "heartbreak," emphasizing his more than fifty years of commitment to the party and its historical role in advocating for workers' rights, freedoms, and democratic institutions. He cited a deviation from the party's principles, criticizing practices he once fought against, a lack of rigor in governmental action, and a departure from electoral promises. He specifically highlighted the MMM's continued presence in government without conditions as a decisive breaking point, stating that "remaining in power should never be an end in itself." The MMM's president, Reza Uteem, expressed sadness but noted that Bérenger chose not to heed the voice of the militants, as the party's central committee and delegates' assembly had approved remaining in government. Secretary-General Rajesh Bhagwan acknowledged a difficult moment but stressed the need to continue the political struggle within the Alliance du Changement to achieve electoral reform. Political analysts, including former minister Jean-Claude de l'Estrac, suggested Bérenger's resignation was inevitable, caught between the internal majority supporting the government and his own political stance. Many view this as a "end of a cycle" for traditional parties and a potent
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Business Mauritius and the Indian Ocean Commission IOC are collaborating to engage businesses in the sustainable management of chemicals and hazardous waste. This initiative is part of the GEF-ISLANDS Indian Ocean regional project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP. The project supports companies in Comoros, Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles to improve hazardous waste management, reduce environmental and health impacts, and promote non-toxic circular value chains. Business Mauritius, co-piloting the private sector component with the IOC, facilitates dialogue among stakeholders, identifies innovative solutions, and fosters experience sharing and partnerships. A recent meeting brought together businesses, experts, and partners to discuss challenges and solutions. Ralph Connery, international consultant for the GEF-ISLANDS project, highlighted the opportunities of a regional approach, citing initiatives like the Moana Taka shipping partnership in the Pacific for collecting and transporting hazardous waste. He emphasized the need to identify technically, economically, and regulatory viable regional solutions for the Indian Ocean, considering challenges in maritime transport, logistics costs, insurance, and compliance with the Basel Convention. Mauritian companies, including Cernol Taylor Smith Group and Ecostril, shared their experiences in chemical and medical waste management, respectively, along with discussions on lithium-ion battery reuse. Amandi
Must ReadThe Independent Broadcasting Authority IBA has requested Top FM take disciplinary action against Habib Mosaheb, leading to his suspension for two upcoming editions of his show, "Kozé do Mo Pep." This action follows Mosaheb's comments on the May 10 broadcast, where he suggested drivers campaign against the Ministry of Land Transport, calling for the removal of "incompetent people" within the ministry. The IBA had previously targeted Mosaheb and Top FM, with the Alliance du Changement having pledged during their election campaign to reform the IBA's perceived partiality against private radio stations and their hosts. A disciplinary committee meeting is pending.
Dr. Afzal Curimbacus, a neurologist at Life Medical Clinic Forbach, addresses the phenomenon of "brain rot," a popular term describing mental fatigue and cognitive decline linked to excessive consumption of short, repetitive, and low-quality digital content on social media. While not a recognized medical condition, the concept highlights concerns among specialists regarding mental exhaustion, cognitive fog, loss of motivation, and attention difficulties. Dr. Curimbacus explains that constant easy stimulation makes the brain struggle with complex tasks. He observes that while Mauritian patients often suffer from burnout related to their occupations, Generation Z and Alpha individuals who overuse screen time frequently exhibit symptoms of "brain rot," as reported by parents. The impact includes concentration problems, demotivation, and mental exhaustion, as the brain becomes conditioned to easy visual stimuli. Social media and constant smartphone presence can lead to compulsive obsession and disrupt concentration for long-term tasks. Long-term effects may include decreased concentration, attention decline, difficulty assimilating new information, and mental fog. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable due to their extensive use of IT, screens, smart devices, and platforms like TikTok and AI tools for leisure. Distinguishing "brain rot" from simple mental fatigue lies in symptom evolution; while fatigue from depression may improve with treatment of the cause, "b