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[Billet] Le grand réveil des conseillers municipaux ?

Eshan Dinally — Sat, 10 May 2025 03:17:52 +0000

[Billet] Le grand réveil des conseillers municipaux ? Eshan Dinally sam 10/05/2025 - 07:17

Ils sont 120 nouvellement élus et ils peuvent tout changer. Les élections municipales tenues dimanche dernier, dans le sillage de l’installation d’un nouveau gouvernement, ne sont pas anodines. Elles placent sur le devant de la scène une nouvelle génération de conseillers municipaux.

Dans un contexte où les citoyens réclament des résultats concrets, cette fonction locale - trop souvent sous-estimée - est appelée à se transformer. Mieux encore, elle peut devenir le levier silencieux d’une révolution démocratique de proximité. Le député débat au Parlement. Le ministre conçoit des politiques, mais c’est le conseiller municipal qui vit au cœur des problèmes. Parmi, ruelles sombres, nuisances, insécurité, embouteillages, prostitution cachée, trafics de drogue. Là où les autres élus ne passent que de temps à autre, le conseiller peut être présent chaque jour, et c’est là que tout peut commencer. Le conseiller municipal, nouvelle sentinelle du quotidien.

Pour cela, il faut repenser son rôle. Le conseiller municipal de demain - ou d’aujourd’hui s’il le veut - n’est pas un figurant ni un attaché protocolaire. Il est un capteur d’alerte, un médiateur, un déclencheur d’action.
Dans chaque ward, il peut devenir les yeux et les oreilles de la République, repérant ce qui ne va pas et faisant remonter l’information : un lampadaire défectueux, un regroupement nocturne douteux, une famille marginalisée, une zone à sécuriser. À travers des circuits structurés entre municipalités, services techniques, députés, voire ministères, il peut jouer un rôle de coordination décisif. Ce n’est pas un fantasme administratif. C’est la seule voie réaliste pour répondre aux problèmes qui rongent nos villes : drogue, délinquance, insécurité routière, incivisme, détérioration des espaces publics.

DE L’ÉLU PROTOCOLAIRE À L’ÉLU DE SOLUTION

Pour réussir cette transformation, les conseillers municipaux doivent changer de posture. Il ne s’agit plus d’être «représentant d’un ward», mais acteur de terrain. Cela suppose : » Des permanences régulières accessibles aux citoyens. » Une écoute active des doléances. » Une connaissance du fonctionnement municipal. » Des liens fonctionnels avec les députés de la circonscription. » Une volonté de faire bouger les lignes. Le danger de voir la population se désintéresser de nouveau si rien ne change est bel et bien réel. Or cette génération d’élus arrive au bon moment, avec un contexte politique renouvelé, et une attente citoyenne immense.

POUR QUE LA DÉMOCRATIE REDEVIENNE VISIBLE

Ce que propose cette vision est simple. Il faut redonner de la chair à la démocratie locale. Lorsque les citoyens verront que leurs petits problèmes trouvent enfin réponse - un trottoir réparé, un feu rouge installé, un lieu à risque sécurisé - alors ils recommenceront à croire. Ils verront que leur voix compte, que leur bulletin a de l’effet et qu’un élu les a entendus. C’est peut-être, ainsi, qu’ils cesseront de bouder les urnes municipales, car rappelons-le : le taux d’abstention ne cesse de grimper d’un scrutin à l’autre, signe d’un malaise démocratique profond. Toutefois, si l’on redonne à ces élus municipaux un rôle actif, visible et utile, alors la participation pourrait retrouver du souffle. Une démocratie qui soigne les petites choses reconstruit la confiance dans les grandes.

[Blog] Carnet de voyage : à la découverte de la Tanzanie

guest — Fri, 09 May 2025 04:57:29 +0000

[Blog] Carnet de voyage : à la découverte de la Tanzanie guest ven 09/05/2025 - 08:57

Yashoda Appadoo Gowreesoo est directrice exécutive dans le secteur financier offshore, avec plus de dix ans d’expérience dans la gestion stratégique, la conformité réglementaire et le développement de solutions financières internationales.

Grâce à son expertise et à sa connaissance des marchés globaux, elle a contribué de manière significative à la croissance et à l’optimisation des opérations d’entreprises multinationales. Son leadership, combiné à une vision orientée vers l’innovation, fait d’elle aujourd’hui une actrice clé dans le secteur offshore. Elle a récemment effectué un voyage d’affaires en Afrique, découvrant plusieurs pays, dont la Tanzanie.

Voici des extraits de son expérience ainsi que son analyse globale de l’économie tanzanienne :

La Tanzanie est l’une des économies ayant la croissance la plus rapide d’Afrique de l’Est. Son économie repose principalement sur l’agriculture, qui emploie environ 65 % de la population active (le pays compte 67,4 millions d’habitants), bien que les secteurs des services, des mines, du tourisme et des télécommunications prennent de plus en plus d’importance.

Taux de croissance du PIB

Le taux de croissance du produit intérieur brut (PIB) de la Tanzanie est resté relativement robuste au cours de la dernière décennie. En 2023, la croissance du PIB était estimée à environ 5,2 %, soutenue par les investissements publics dans les infrastructures, une production agricole stable et une reprise du tourisme après la pandémie de COVID-19. Les perspectives pour 2024-2025 restent positives, avec des prévisions avoisinant 5,5 % à 6 %, selon les institutions financières internationales.

Développement du secteur financier

Le secteur financier tanzanien est en développement constant. Il est dominé par le secteur bancaire, qui comprend plus de 40 banques commerciales. La Banque de Tanzanie (BoT) joue un rôle central dans la régulation et la supervision du système financier. Ces dernières années, le gouvernement a mis en œuvre plusieurs réformes pour accroître l’inclusion financière, notamment à travers la digitalisation et la promotion des services bancaires mobiles.

Les services financiers mobiles, tels que M-Pesa et Tigo Pesa, ont transformé l’accès aux services bancaires, en particulier dans les zones rurales. Le taux d’inclusion financière a considérablement augmenté, atteignant plus de 65 % de la population adulte en 2023, contre moins de 20 % il y a une décennie.

Des efforts sont également en cours pour développer le marché des capitaux et renforcer la réglementation afin d’attirer davantage d’investissements privés, notamment étrangers.

Zoom sur Mbeya

Mbeya est une ville importante du sud-ouest de la Tanzanie, située à environ 850 km de Dar es Salaam. Elle est le chef-lieu de la région de Mbeya et joue un rôle central dans l’économie et les infrastructures du sud du pays.

Économie :
   ◦   Agriculture : Mbeya est un centre agricole majeur. Les produits clés comprennent le maïs, le café, les haricots, les pommes de terre, et le thé.
   ◦   Commerce : En raison de sa proximité avec la Zambie et le Malawi, Mbeya est un carrefour commercial régional.
   ◦   Industrie : Quelques petites industries sont présentes, notamment dans la transformation agroalimentaire.
   ◦   Population et culture : Mbeya est une ville cosmopolite avec une population diversifiée (plusieurs centaines de milliers d’habitants).Les groupes ethniques majeurs sont les Nyakyusa, Safwa et Ndali.

J’ai vraiment apprécié la nourriture en Tanzanie

Au petit-déjeuner, je prenais du masala chai chaud et du chapati. Le masala chai chaud est une version épicée du thé indien avec une saveur dominante de clous de girofle. Le chapati est feuilleté et gras, ce qui le rend rassasiant.

Pour le déjeuner ou le dîner, j’ai mangé le célèbre ugali (plat traditionnel d’Afrique de l’Est, préparé à base de farine de maïs et d’eau.)

J’ai également mangé des bananes plantains, des épinards, curry de haricots et de la viande. Personnellement, je pense que le grand gagnant, ce sont les bananes plantains à moitié mûres frites avec les côtes de viande grillées et les épinards !

J’ai également eu l’occasion de goûter leur riz pilau, leur biryani, leur soupe de poulet, leur mishkaki (viande en brochette), ainsi que leur chipsi mayai (frites aux œufs).

[Blog] Lettre ouverte de l’ambassadrice de Chine, Huang Shifang, au peuple mauricien

guest — Thu, 08 May 2025 11:58:57 +0000

[Blog] Lettre ouverte de l’ambassadrice de Chine, Huang Shifang, au peuple mauricien guest jeu 08/05/2025 - 15:58

Je viens d’arriver à Maurice pour assumer mes fonctions en tant que 16e Ambassadrice extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire de la République populaire de Chine en République de Maurice. C’est pour moi un immense honneur et une grande joie de débuter cette noble mission dans un pays à la beauté saisissante, riche de sa diversité culturelle et réputé pour sa stabilité. En cette occasion solennelle, je tiens à adresser mes salutations les plus chaleureuses ainsi que mes vœux sincères au gouvernement et au peuple mauriciens.

Depuis de nombreuses années, le gouvernement et le peuple mauriciens ont suivi une voie de développement conforme à leurs réalités nationales, assurant une remarquable stabilité politique, une croissance économique soutenue et une harmonie sociale exemplaire. Maurice se positionne durablement à l’avant-garde du continent africain en matière de compétitivité et de développement. Elle s’illustre également sur la scène régionale et internationale par une participation active et un rôle constructif salué de toutes parts.

La Chine et Maurice partagent une amitié profonde et ancienne. Depuis l’établissement de nos relations diplomatiques, il y a plus d’un demi-siècle, nos deux pays se sont toujours fondés sur les principes de respect mutuel, d’égalité et de bénéfices partagés. Nous nous sommes mutuellement soutenus sur les grandes questions d’intérêt commun et avons fait front commun face aux bouleversements internationaux, en intensifiant jour après jour notre coopération dans de nombreux domaines. Notre confiance politique réciproque ne cesse de croître, la coopération bilatérale porte des fruits abondants, et les liens entre nos peuples se resserrent, faisant de notre partenariat un exemple éloquent de coopération équitable et bénéfique pour tous entre les pays.

Aujourd’hui, les relations sino-mauriciennes s’inscrivent dans une nouvelle dynamique historique. Son Excellence Monsieur le Président Xi Jinping a adressé un message de félicitations à Son Excellence Monsieur le Président Gokhool dès son entrée en fonction, témoignant de l’attachement et du soutien sincère de la Chine au développement de Maurice. Ce geste illustre l’importance accordée par le Président Xi Jinping et le gouvernement chinois aux liens bilatéraux sino-mauriciens.

Le Sommet de Beijing du Forum sur la Coopération sino-africaine, tenu avec succès l’an dernier, a permis d’élever nos relations au rang de partenariat stratégique, insufflant un nouvel élan à notre coopération tous azimuts. Ensemble, nous mettrons en œuvre les « Dix Actions de partenariat pour la modernisation », en intensifiant nos efforts conjoints dans les domaines des infrastructures, du développement durable, de la santé publique ainsi que des échanges humains et culturels, etc.

Animée d’un esprit d’ouverture et de pragmatisme, je m’emploierai à renforcer les échanges à tous les niveaux entre la Chine et Maurice, dans le but de promouvoir une compréhension plus profonde, une confiance mutuelle accrue et une amitié durable entre nos deux gouvernements et nos peuples. Je suis enthousiaste à l’idée de travailler main dans la main avec tous nos amis mauriciens pour concrétiser les importants consensus établis entre les dirigeants chinois et mauriciens, faire progresser la mise en œuvre des « Dix Actions », et consolider, approfondir et élargir sans relâche notre partenariat stratégique. Ensemble, œuvrons à l’édification d’une communauté d’avenir partagé sino-mauricienne plus solide à l’aube de cette nouvelle ère.

Dr Huang Shifang
Ambassadrice extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire
de la République populaire de Chine à Maurice

[Blog] Some symbolic measures to bolster the image of the government

guest — Mon, 05 May 2025 11:54:51 +0000

[Blog] Some symbolic measures to bolster the image of the government guest lun 05/05/2025 - 15:54

The Alliance for Change made a litany of promises before the elections. In view of the difficult economic situation as depicted in the State of the Economy, it is unable to deliver on many of the promises. However, a number of actions could be taken that would not necessarily weigh heavily on the exchequer.

One of them is the promise not to discontinue the old age pension of a person who stays abroad more than six months. This is a purely administrative measure that can be taken without any complication and will provide relief to so many elderly persons who go and visit their children and grandchildren in different parts of the world. A Mauritian who has sloughed through their life is entitled to their pension wherever they live.

It is a matter of right. As the situation prevails presently, a person who returns from abroad after 6 months faces a mountain of bureaucracy to have their pension reinstated, sometimes taking several months. Some people depend much on this allowance to make both ends meet. Imagine their predicament when they are deprived of it for months on end.

In the same context, there is the issue of payment of pension on the first of each month. The problem arises when the date falls on a public holiday or on weekends, which causes undue delay. Civil servants obtain their salary three clear days before the end of the month. The same formula can be applied for pensioners. Furthermore, the promise about rendering the old age pension non-taxable can be implemented without much hassle and with no great impact on the exchequer.

Wealthy people for whom the old age pension is a mere pittance can be invited to donate this sum to a solidarity fund set up by government.

Another measure that can be put into practice without much difficulty is the menstrual leave. Any female worker can be allowed to choose one day in a month to take a rest when they feel that they are physiologically in a difficult situation. There is no need to produce a medical certificate as all workers join the world of work at post-puberty age. As for those who reach menopause, the privilege can continue because this period of life is accompanied by complications of its own.

Furthermore, before the elections there was a cry of heart from carers to increase the carer's allowance and the Alliance for Change promised to increase it to Rs 10,000. While this may not be done immediately, it can be staggered. For example, it can be raised from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000. On top of that they can be encouraged to register with the MRA to benefit from the top-up allowance of Rs 3,000. It should be noted that the population is ageing rapidly and more and more elderly people will be needing carers. This work has to be given its due importance and valorised.

Finally, the trip to Rodrigues for elderly persons at least once in their life can also be implemented. They can be invited to register for this programme on a first-come, first-served basis as they do in the case of camping at the recreational centres. The Ministry of Social Security can keep a database to avoid fraudulent practices. Two seats can be reserved in each flight of Air Mauritius and arrangements can be made with a guesthouse there for accommodation. As there are some 270,000 elderly persons in Mauritius, the project will help to boost tourism in Rodrigues, following which the island will depend less on grants from the mainland for its ever-increasing budget. So the government can recoup part of its expenses associated with the trip-to-Rodrigues project.

Azize Bankur

[Blog] Mauritius as seen from outside: Is the economic miracle fading? Four key risks threaten the island’s prosperity

defimedia — Mon, 05 May 2025 03:51:33 +0000

[Blog] Mauritius as seen from outside: Is the economic miracle fading? Four key risks threaten the island’s prosperity defimedia lun 05/05/2025 - 07:51

The following article, originally published on the website of the Institute for Security Studies on 2 May 2025, examines whether the island’s widely praised economic success story is at risk of unravelling. It argues that complacency must give way to meaningful reform and strategic reinvention if the country is to maintain its prosperity.

We are reproducing below the full article:

Complacency must make way for economic reform and the strategic reinvention that once made Mauritius the darling of development economists.

By Ronak Gopaldas

Mauritius has long punched above its weight economically. From sugarcane to textiles, tourism to financial services, the country has reinvented itself multiple times — a small island that turned its geographic isolation into an opportunity rather than a constraint.

But today, as global headwinds intensify and domestic vulnerabilities become harder to ignore, many wonder whether Mauritius has become complacent, banking on past glory rather than investing in the future.

Recent developments paint a bleak picture. The country has experienced a significant budgetary slippage, increased public debt, sub-par economic growth, and growing questions about governance standards.
Moody’s recent sovereign rating change from stable to negative (while maintaining the investment grade Baa3 rating) underscores what many investors and observers have been contemplating for some time: Is the Mauritian miracle running on fumes?

Mauritius’ success story has been underpinned by its reputation for sound macroeconomic management and technocratic competence. In previous decades, its leaders navigated choppy waters with strategic reinvention. From trade liberalisation to sector diversification, the country’s response was proactive and agile.

But this time, the state’s response has felt unsteady. Despite lofty expectations, policy inertia under the new government — which has failed to fill key economic positions in parastatals, local sources say — has taken root, further eroding business sentiment.

Four major risks

Mauritius must now contend with four major risks.

First, the flagging tourism sector. Once a jewel in the country’s economic crown, tourist arrivals are under pressure. While external factors like inflation and cost-of-living crises in Europe play a role, the product offering may be losing its sparkle. Destinations like the Maldives and Zanzibar are becoming more competitive, while Mauritius risks appearing expensive and staid.

The poor economic performance of Air Mauritius and fewer flights from Europe and China since Covid-19 may have played a role, but questions are also being raised about service quality. Perhaps the tourism model isn’t evolving fast enough to meet the needs of a more discerning global traveller.

Second, skill levels are lacking. Mauritius has sold itself as a hub for business process outsourcing and financial services, but in a world increasingly driven by AI, automation and tech, the local talent pool is lagging. Productivity levels are low, and employers struggle with a mismatch between labour supply and demand.

The country faces an uncomfortable truth: its workforce is not currently suited to a digital economy, so it must either import the requisite skills or upskill.

Mauritius also shows signs of the classic middle-income trap — too rich to rely on low-cost labour and too underdeveloped to drive innovation-led growth. The pivot to a high-value services economy will require policy and mindset shifts.

Third, its gateway status faces competition. Mauritius has historically marketed itself as a financial services hub and a springboard into Africa, capitalising on its tax treaties, stable political environment and relatively strong institutions. But this edge is eroding.

Global competition is heating up with jurisdictions like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Cayman Islands vying for the same slice of the pie – often with fewer political risks and stronger connectivity. Moreover, Mauritius’s credibility took a hit with its recent Financial Action Task Force greylisting. It’s now off the list, but reputational damage lingers.

Fourth, reputational risks are rising. For a country that built its brand on good governance and institutional reliability, the recent trends are unsettling. Political interference in economic affairs, rising corruption scandals, including the Missie Moustass controversy, and questionable fiscal practices have dented Mauritius’s image as a well-run, technocratic democracy. And investors are noticing.

More troubling is the sense that Mauritius is relying too heavily on its legacy and hasn’t kept up with modern realities. In a post-pandemic, geopolitically fragmented, tech-centric global economy, reputation isn’t enough. Mauritius must earn its place at the table by developing a clear and coherent value proposition for international partners.

Meanwhile, the external environment is getting tougher. Covid-19’s lingering effects and the geopolitical fallout from the Ukraine conflict have battered global currencies and dampened trade investment flows — all crucial lifelines for a small, open economy like Mauritius. And now with United States President Donald Trump’s trade war, the risk to key trading partners will almost certainly have contagion effects for Mauritius.

But while external shocks are beyond any country’s control, the internal response is not — and policymakers must rise to the challenge.

First, global geopolitical dynamics must be made to work in its favour. As the geometry of international trade shifts, Mauritius should prioritise its strategic relevance to major powers in the West and East through economic diplomacy. This includes embracing the African Continental Free Trade Area’s potential growth benefits and further rapprochement with the rest of Africa.

Generating growth

A more nuanced approach to its blue economy, along with the upgrade of its port, which offers access to the Indian Ocean as a non-aligned maritime gateway, could also generate growth.

Turning Port Louis into a multi-use regional transhipment and refuelling hub for future fuels and offering services like repair docks, bonded warehousing and digital customs clearance would benefit global shipping firms — especially with current Red Sea disruptions. By adapting the Singapore economic model, Mauritius could become a legal and commercial services centre for shipping.

Second, it should learn from the UAE and Estonia’s success in using smart digital and investor visa schemes to attract skilled labour. Mauritius could turn into a magnet for wealth and innovation by becoming more attractive to digital nomads and high net wealth individuals who value the lifestyle benefits. This will require investment in human capital and ancillary service industries to ensure a globally competitive value proposition.

Third, economic reform is essential from a fiscal and structural perspective. Reorienting the economy towards a greener, more knowledge-centric path while improving spending efficiency is essential.

Policymakers should position Mauritius as an African AI hub and integrate such efficiencies into the public sector to release resources into more GDP-generating activities such as e-government, data centres, green energy and infrastructure. New strategies should prioritise investment in the environment, infrastructure and skills.

Mauritius must confront some hard truths, rethink its economic model, and rediscover the reformist zeal that once made it the darling of development economists. Otherwise, the island will soon face an economic cyclone.

About the author: Ronak Gopaldas is a consultant at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and Director at Signal Risk.

[Blog] New open letter: To the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Vladimir Putin and to President of Ukraine, H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Dr Michael Atchia — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 03:46:45 +0000

[Blog] New open letter: To the President of the Russian Federation, H.E. Vladimir Putin and to President of Ukraine, H.E. Volodymyr Zelenskyy Dr Michael Atchia lun 28/04/2025 - 07:46

We invite Presidents Vladimir and Volodymyr to meet and jointly start negotiations now.

‘War is defeat’ (Pope Francis, 23rd April 2025, Easter 2025, his last day on Earth). As a group we condemn aggression; we condemn the neglect of action to control climate change and save the planet as a supporter of life; we condemn any action risking nuclear disaster.

At a time when entire sections of the planet are suffering from the extremes of climate change (roasting under extreme heat, freezing cold, intense hurricanes, floods and droughts, sea-level rise, etc.), under such a planetary emergency, there is no time, no justification for anyone, be it the USA, China, India, African states, Russia, Iran or any other nation, to resort to the old style of empire building, of going to war as a tool of political action. No justification for the aggression of an independent state, member of UN and of the family of nations, nor of amassing all manner of arms to try to defend one’s country with more weapons.

As Pope Francis reminded us so forcefully, “War is defeat”. Please join us in condemning war “as a tool of political action”. Instead, let us use negotiation and dialogue, and where necessary arbitration, instead of missiles, tanks, and bombs as “arguments”.

Total engagement to avoid nuclear war. No talk whatsoever or threat of using any such weapon.
It’s our world, our planet and life here for the 8 billion humans (and plant and animal biodiversity) cannot/will not/in no way we all of us permit such life to be threatened by one or more mad man for whatever political or greed purpose to use nuclear weapons. The result of using one or more nuclear weapon and its retaliation has been so well studied that it’s unnecessary to detail it again here (millions of immediate deaths, billions of long-term deaths, rendering of water and other natural resources, including air, unfit for us humans and animals etc.)

Threatening the use of nuclear warheads will affect the entire planet negatively and for thousands of years. Russia holds about 6,850 nuclear warheads, the USA 6,550 warheads: France, 290 warheads and China, 280. The UK has 215, Pakistan 145, India 135. Even Israel and North Korea hold some. Any use of even a small number of these could end the planet’s ability to support biodiversity, including human life. Therefore, in the name of 8 billion humans, we state that no one has the right to take the risk of using nuclear arms, for whatever reason.

For ceasefire and peace in Ukraine. We invite Presidents Vladimir and Volodymyr to meet and jointly start negotiations now (with the USA, China/the European Union/UN/or other facilitators). Based on a complete recognition of the democratically elected government in Ukraine and the conduct of referendum on self-determination of people in Donbas, South Ukraine, and Crimea as to their wish to be part
of Ukraine, part of Russia, or become an independent state.

As per the UN Charter, of self-determination of people and nations. Consider this option now as part of the peace negotiation and agreement between Russia and Ukraine.

Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers, Ukrainian civilians and young Russian soldiers have been massacred uselessly, not to say criminally since the invasion. And this number will double if war persists. So, we call for an immediate ceasefire: stop firing, talk and each one consider the requirements of the other side. Sign an agreement, a peace treaty. Then we can end the negative effects of this war on Western Europe, on African countries, end even the distant threat to the entire planet of exchange of some nuclear weapons, and end sanctions on the Russian population. After a ceasefire, and a peace treaty, we can start the rebuilding of Ukraine, a destroyed country. We support the full resumption of production and export of cereals, grain, and natural gas from Russia. Sanctions should end and free trade be re-established, as soon as possible.

Dr Michael Atchia

(Former United Nations Programme Director) mklatchia@intnet.mu

First open letter 22nd May 2023, new letter today, 26th April 2025.

[Blog] Referring to Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, the POPE rightly stated that “war is defeat”

Dr Michael Atchia — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:05:11 +0000

[Blog] Referring to Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, the POPE rightly stated that “war is defeat” Dr Michael Atchia mer 23/04/2025 - 15:05

POPE FRANCIS reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in an Easter Sunday message read aloud by an aide, as the pontiff, still recovering from pneumonia, made a brief appearance on the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Just a few hours before he passed away, on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis delivered his Urbi et Orbi message “to the city and to the world” — focusing on the Holy Land, which he described as “wounded by conflict” and gripped by an “endless outburst of violence.”

He expressed solidarity with the people of Gaza.

“I appeal once again,” he said, “for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”

The Pope urged the international community to take action and “come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”

That message from Francis was on the day before he passed away, left the earth and went to God.

The war was triggered by the continued occupation of Gaza and other parts of Palestine by ISRAEL since 1947. Then the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies.

Since then, more than 51,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive, over 30% of them women and children — like this child of 2 years old murdered by the Israeli army, which dubbed anyone they kill as being a “terrorist.” The Gaza health ministry says 1,600 people have been killed in March and April 2025, after the ceasefire was ended by Israel.

‘War is a Defeat’. Referring to Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine, the POPE rightly stated that “war is defeat.”

On October 29, 2023, during his Angelus address, Pope Francis called for a ceasefire in Gaza. He urged for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and for all captives to be freed. He emphasized that “War is always a defeat! Every war is a defeat!” TAKE THE Courageous Paths to Peace. The Pope called for a ceasefire and urged to “find solutions other than arms, trying to take courageous paths to peace.”
________________________________________
Israel is attempting the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, from 1948 till now, but mainly during the last 16 months, when Israel destroyed most schools, most hospitals, most housing, most roads, most production systems, and attempted to starve the population of Gaza/Palestine.

Now we witness the end of the continued non-recognition of Palestine by Israel. The ‘imprisonment’ of the Palestinian people till today, denied return to their land, denied the two-state solution — one being an independent Palestine. A process of independence for Palestine, Gaza, and the West Bank. A difficult process that needs the support of all states of the REGION AND OF THE WORLD. A process that Hamas can help by dissolving itself under its present armed forces constitution and reforming itself as, for example, the PPP (Palestine Political Party), devoted entirely to rebuilding Palestine and its efficient governance.

We mourn the 50,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 WOMEN and CHILDREN killed in the last 24 months, also more than 100,000 people injured, and the more than 12,000 missing. We also mourn the toll on Israelis killed, numbering 1,200. A sad tragedy of human wickedness. Now, of course, the UN agencies and all nations in the area (Egypt, Doha, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and others) as well as those outside are starting a huge help movement to feed the Gaza people (reduced to starvation by Israel in its genocide attempt) and start the reconstruction of habitats, schools, hospitals, production and commercial structures, roads, and communications, etc. In fact, to rebuild all.

All states must now support and indeed put pressure on Israel and Hamas FOR A CEASEFIRE NOW and fully implement the ceasefire and agreement. Then the rebuilding of Gaza can start in earnest.

Dr Michael Atchia
(Past Programme Director, United Nations)
mklatchia@intnet.mu
20th April 2025

[Blog] Maurice à la Croisée des Cieux - Vers une Politique Open Sky pour relancer le Tourisme, l’Aviation et l’Économie»

guest — Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:08:00 +0000

[Blog] Maurice à la Croisée des Cieux - Vers une Politique Open Sky pour relancer le Tourisme, l’Aviation et l’Économie» guest sam 19/04/2025 - 09:08

Le début de l’année 2025 suscite des inquiétudes pour Maurice. Contrairement à des destinations voisines telles que les Maldives et le Sri Lanka, qui ont enregistré une croissance solide des arrivées touristiques, Maurice accuse un retard significatif. Par exemple, de janvier jusqu’au début d’avril, les Maldives ont accueilli 667 730 touristes, soit une augmentation de 5,8 % par rapport à l’année précédente. Le Sri Lanka, lui, a connu une croissance de 14 % sur la même période avec 722 276 arrivées. Maurice, en revanche, peine à suivre cette tendance, avec des chiffres en déclin entraînant un manque à gagner important.

Cette situation n’est pas une surprise. Il s’agit d’une tendance que je signale depuis l’année dernière. Il n’est plus utile d’en attribuer la responsabilité uniquement aux anciennes administrations ou aux arrivées en provenance d’un pays spécifique, surtout en l’absence de stratégies clairement communiquées, tant attendues depuis des mois et meme des annees. Gouverner, c’est prévoir. Ce manque d’anticipation et de stratégie a amplifié les effets du ralentissement et affaibli notre capacité à réagir efficacement.

Le problème réside dans l’absence d’une vision claire, d’une stratégie cohérente, et d’actions concrètes depuis des années, pour répondre aux défis auxquels font face les secteurs du tourisme et de l’aviation. Il manque également, à la tête de ces institutions, des dirigeants dotés d’une expérience internationale et d’une expertise approfondie dans les domaines de l’hôtellerie, de la gestion de destinations, et de l’aviation mondiale. Cette carence ralentit considérablement la réactivité du pays face à une concurrence régionale féroce.

Par ailleurs, un manque de synergie et une gouvernance fragmentée entre différents organismes (ministères, MTPA, Airport Holdings, compagnies aériennes, etc.) nuit à la mise en œuvre d’un plan d’action cohérent. Il devient urgent de créer une task force multisectorielle pilotée par des experts indépendants, afin de centraliser les efforts et d’établir un cap clair vers la relance.

Des mesures immédiates et radicales s’imposent. Parmi celles-ci, l’introduction d’une politique Open Sky apparaît comme une réponse stratégique à court et moyen terme. Elle permettrait de redynamiser la connectivité aérienne, d’ouvrir notre marché à de nouvelles compagnies, et de stimuler la concurrence bénéfique pour les consommateurs comme pour l’économie. Cette politique doit cependant s’accompagner d’une série de mesures complémentaires : amélioration de la capacité et des infrastructures aéroportuaires, augmentation de la capacité hôtelière, modernisation des infrastructures touristiques, renforcement de la sécurité et création d’un environnement propice aux activités nocturnes.

L’Open Sky, s’il est bien implémenté, peut positionner Maurice comme un hub stratégique entre l’Afrique, l’Asie et l’Australie, grâce notamment à l’exploitation de l’espace aerien. Cela attirerait plus de compagnies internationales et offrirait aux passagers plus de choix et de flexibilité.

Néanmoins, cette ouverture n’est pas sans risques, notamment pour Air Mauritius. Une libéralisation brutale pourrait fragiliser davantage la compagnie nationale. Une transition progressive s’impose, avec des mesures ciblées pour renforcer Air Mauritius, voire envisager serieusement sa privatisation, tout en veillant à la transparence et à la compétence dans sa gouvernance. Il est aussi essentiel d’éradiquer les nominations politiques inappropriées qui freinent son progrès.

Il convient toutefois de souligner que certains groupes hôteliers continuent de bien performer, malgré le contexte difficile. Grâce à leur expérience, leur vision stratégique et leur capacité à anticiper les évolutions du marché, ils parviennent à maintenir une dynamique positive, et ont un impact réel sur la résilience du secteur touristique mauricien. Leur succès prouve qu’avec une gestion professionnelle, des actions ciblées et une stratégie bien définie, il est encore possible de faire rayonner Maurice à l’international.

Outre la politique aérienne, la relance du tourisme passe aussi par :

Une stratégie digitale et IA de promotion internationale ciblée, notamment sur les marchés émergents à fort potentiel ;
Le développement de segments comme le MICE, le tourisme de santé, l’écotourisme et le tourisme culturel ;
La facilitation des démarches administratives pour les voyageurs (e-visas, douanes rapides, etc.) ;
Une meilleure coordination public-privé pour aligner les objectifs et mutualiser les ressources.

Les bénéfices de cette transformation sont immenses : augmentation du trafic aérien, baisse des prix des billets, et du fret aerien, stimulation du tourisme, développement des PME locales, et création d’emplois qualifiés. Mais pour y parvenir, Maurice doit faire preuve d’audace, de vision et de cohérence.

En conclusion, Maurice ne peut plus se permettre l’inaction. Le pays a toutes les cartes en main pour devenir un acteur majeur du tourisme régional, mais cela passe par une réforme profonde, planifiée, et libérée des considérations politiques et partisanes. Il est temps d’agir avec ambition et responsabilité.

Bio-Data

Inayat Ramjean est un consultant en hôtellerie qui a occupé des postes de direction dans l’hôtellerie et dans le domaine de l’aviation. Sa carrière est marquée par des réalisations, notamment en tant que responsable des opérations commerciales de deux groupes hôteliers internationaux, Accor et Hilton, en Arabie Saoudite.

L’expertise d’Inayat s’est manifestée lorsqu’il a contribué à la croissance et au succès de ces hôteliers. Son sens commercial et son leadership ont été essentiels dans la définition de l’orientation des deux marques dans un marché concurrentiel.

Au-delà de l’hôtellerie, Ramjean a réalisé des avancées dans l’industrie aérienne. Il a travaillé avec Philippine Airlines, Air India et United Airlines, la plus grande compagnie aérienne du monde.

Inayat Ramjean

[Blog] Strategic Peer Partnerships: Catalysts for National Reforms

guest — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:11:24 +0000

[Blog] Strategic Peer Partnerships: Catalysts for National Reforms guest mer 16/04/2025 - 10:11

The first National Multiplication Training in Mauritius is a testament that higher education institutions can support the work of national regulators and actively champion national agendas and reforms through capacity building, peer learning and collaborative exchanges. A North-South, private-public partnership helped to achieve these outcomes.

As Mauritius positions itself to be a regional knowledge hub in Africa, improving the quality of international higher education and transnational education provision is paramount. But how best to achieve this? For Mauritius, a North-South private-public partnership provided part of the answer.

From 2023-2025, a collaboration between Middlesex University and Université des Mascareignes, both in Mauritius, with the University of Potsdam and FH Münster – University of Applied Sciences, both in Germany, empowered university staff to be agents of innovation and make a tangible impact on practice and policy with a particular focus on their institutions’ internal and external quality assurance and enhancement.

The collaboration was the first Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES) National Multiplication Training (NMT) for higher education in Mauritius, with the main goal being to support higher education managers in improving the procedures for quality assurance and internationalisation of the curricula in their institutions. The DIES programme is jointly coordinated by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors‘ Conference (HRK) and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Organisers and funding bodies of NMT Mauritius 2024

Reform of the regulatory framework

The National Multiplication Training came at an opportune time, when Mauritius’ higher education institutions were at different stages of implementing reforms under the country’s Higher Education Act 2017.

Changes in the sector’s regulatory system ensured that the higher education programme provision offered in Mauritius not only met the requirements of its own statutory quality assurance bodies but was also benchmarked against regional and international standards, thereby fostering global academic mobility.

Stakeholders would be assured that higher education gained in Mauritius had international recognition whilst meeting regional labour market needs and socio-economic demands.

Regulation

When the 2017 Act was implemented in Mauritius in January 2020, two regulatory bodies, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Quality Assurance Authority (QAA) were established.

Each was tasked with overseeing distinct but complementary regulatory functions, with greater mandates than the Tertiary Education Commission, which they replaced.

The restructuring ensured that a fit-for-purpose framework was in place to manage anticipated developments in the higher education landscape, including internationalisation.

Challenges

These transformative changes brought their share of challenges for the country’s higher education institutions, prompting questions and introducing uncertainties among those tasked with their implementation.

For many institutions, this reform entailed redesigning internal procedures, introducing new tools, training faculty in understanding regulatory requirements and fostering a culture of internal quality improvement; all while balancing existing operational demands.

As a result, many higher education institutions are navigating a steep learning curve, as they adjust to the new expectations set by the regulatory bodies.

Prior to the enactment of the new legislation, public and private higher education institutions were regulated through different mechanisms under the former Tertiary Education Act 1988. The 2017 Act thus addressed the need for harmonising quality assurance and accountability across the growing higher education sector by establishing a unified regulatory framework.

It was amid these challenges that the first DIES NMT for higher education in Mauritius was set up in 2023, enabling the collaboration that supported higher education managers to meet the complexities of these reforms and to implement the changes required.

First NMT in Mauritius

Breaking new ground, the National Multiplication Training, or NMT, distinguished itself from other national quality assurance workshops conducted by the regulatory bodies.

This was the first time that a private and a public university came together in a consortium to support Mauritius’ higher education quality assurance transformation on a national scale. The training was done by local practitioners from the public and private higher education sectors for their peers.

As alumni of the 2020-21 DIES Training on Internal Quality Assurance in Higher Education, or TrainIQA, programme for the Southern African Development Community, or SADC, region, the authors of this commentary (Dr Sweta Rout-Hoolash, a senior lecturer in international education from Middlesex University Mauritius and Vimi Neeroo Lockmun-Bissessur, the head of quality assurance from Université des Mascareignes), formed a national training committee (also including Dr Shaheen Motala-Timol, the head of academic and quality enhancement, Middlesex University Mauritius).

The committee was further expanded to include Petra Pistor, an international quality assurance expert from the Wandelwerk, Centre for Quality Assurance and Enhancement at FH Münster – University of Applied Sciences.

The committee conceptualised a multiplication training for capacity building on ‘Effective implementation of quality management systems in HEIs with a focus on accreditation, audit, and an introduction to internationalisation’.

Through capacity building, the project addressed the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, namely to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” as well as SDG 17 “Partnerships for the goals”, bringing together Mauritian and German public and private HE managers and practitioners.

The committee announced and publicised the training in January 2024 and selected twenty-two participants (twelve women and seven men, all Mauritian) based on predefined selection criteria.

Each represented a different role in their organisation. Ten higher education institutions took part, a mix of public and private, and a tertiary regulatory body. Following the DIES training course methodology, the training consisted of two interconnected in-person workshops of three to four days each, held in February and June 2024, with a break of four to five months between the workshops, for the participants to develop and implement projects relevant to their institutions.

Making innovative change sustainable

The workshop topics were selected by the participants to support the adaptation of reforms in their own institutions. The focus was on key areas such as development of a quality culture, review of audit and accreditation processes, and curriculum design to cater for an international student body.

To promote the sustainability of the National Multiplication Training, participants implemented a quality assurance project relevant to their institutions during the training, working in peer groups under the mentorship of an expert. Themes included student engagement in quality mechanisms; digital transformation; programme review, monitoring and audit.

The effectiveness of the training was evidenced from the end-of-training survey results: 94% of the participants agreed that “the experience of the trainers contributed to make the workshop an enriching one” and 100% agreed that the “workshop revealed new types of practical examples that could be used within the context of their own work”.

Moreover, the training committee was an all-female team, which was greatly appreciated by participants, exemplified through this comment from a participant at the closing survey, where it was stated that “the teamwork of the four ladies was brilliant. I sincerely learned a lot. The enthusiasm and dynamism of the leading four ladies was infectious and carried the workshop all along. The workshop was brilliantly carried out.”

Community of practice envisaged

To sustain a professional network, participants wanted to continue the dialogue with each other. A community of practice is intended to complement the recently established network for quality managers in Mauritius (the Higher Education Quality Assurance Society, or HEQAS), working independently to promote exchange across functional and disciplinary boundaries in the further implementation of the participants’ change projects.

As well as a growth in competencies among the participants, an institutional impact is expected from their change projects which will contribute to the implementation of the higher education reforms in Mauritius.

Higher Education leaders

The training attracted the interest of the national and regional media and, crucially, of higher education decision makers in Mauritius, including the former vice prime minister and minister of education, tertiary education, science and technology, who explicitly supported the initiative, along with heads of the HEC, QAA and other senior officials from the tertiary sector.

Organising committee with participants

The NMT project was further recognised at national level, when in 2024 Middlesex University Mauritius and Université des Mascareignes won the bronze award in the category of ‘Government departments, parastatals and registered associations’ at the National Productivity and Quality Excellence Award.

Keeping the momentum

How can this momentum now be leveraged, and what practical steps can be taken to further support Mauritius’ higher education reforms efforts?

Based on the experiences from the first National Multiplication Training in Mauritius, the training committee recommends the following.

• Support the transformation process through capacity building: Changes in higher education systems do not happen overnight. Responsibilities must be defined, and all stakeholders need to be convinced of the new processes. This makes continuous guidance and shared learning in these processes more important, which suggests the implementation of additional training in the areas of higher education management, quality management, and internationalisation.

• Dialogue from practice for practice: This National Multiplication Training has demonstrated the value of cross-functional and cross-disciplinary exchange among practitioners. Through networking and the provision of training by practitioners themselves, these benefits can be further leveraged for Mauritius’ higher education reforms process.

• International exchange: Mauritius aims to become a regional knowledge hub. In pursuit of this goal, international exchange in higher education and quality management (beyond the development of international study programmes) is important.

The involvement of colleagues from Germany provided a great source of exchange and inspiration during the National Multiplication Training. At the same time, the training was entirely the responsibility of national experts.

This is particularly important when it comes to implementing a reform and internationalisation concept that fits the national context in Mauritius.

This North-South private-public partnership, enabled through the National Multiplication Training funds, was a first, but not the last such collaboration, aimed at creating a culture of sharing to meet national higher education objectives and improve the quality of higher education institutions.

The first National Multiplication Training in Mauritius is a testament that higher education institutions can support the work of national regulators and actively champion national agendas through capacity building, peer learning and exchanges.

Dr Sweta Rout-Hoolash, PFHEA is a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (United Kingdom), an alumna of DIES, a senior lecturer in international education at Middlesex University, Mauritius. She can be reached at s.rout-hoolash@mdx.ac.uk and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweta-rout-hoolash

Vimi Lockmun-Bissessur (MSc (UK), BEng (UK), ACGI (UK)), is an Associate of the City and Guilds of London Institute (United Kingdom) and a DIES alumna. She is head of quality assurance at Université des Mascareignes, Mauritius. She can be reached on vlbissessur@udm.ac.mu or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimi-lockmun-bissessur

Dr Shaheen Motala-Timol is the head of academic and quality enhancement at Middlesex University, Mauritius. She is available at s.timol@mdx.ac.mu or via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/shaheen-motala-timol

Dipl.-Foto-Des. Petra Pistor, M.A. (Germany) is an international quality assurance expert at the Wandelwerk, Centre for Quality Assurance and Enhancement at FH Münster – University of Applied Sciences. Her email is petra.pistor@fh-muenster.de and she can be contacted on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/petra-pistor

This commentary/opinion article was first published in the Africa edition of University World News. Here is a link to the article: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20250319100406602

[Blog] Targeting Gaza's children

guest — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:50:39 +0000

[Blog] Targeting Gaza's children guest lun 14/04/2025 - 13:50

Since the murderous Israeli onslaught on Gaza as from October 2023, some 18,000 Palestinian children have been annihilated and several thousand others have been wounded. According to WHO, Gaza has the highest ratio of child amputees in the world. The UN estimates that, following the resumption of the Israeli aggression after the breach of the temporary truce, around a hundred children are killed or injured every day.

One could argue that the children are collateral victims of a ruthless war, fallen in indiscriminate bombings of residential buildings, buried under the rubble of their homes or incinerated in makeshift tents. However, testimonies from doctors, journalists and eyewitnesses reveal that, far from being accidental, many of the killings were deliberate and carried out in cold blood. In many cases, children have been intentionally targeted. For its documentary, "Kids under Fire", Al Jazeera interviewed 20 American doctors who have served as volunteers in Gaza. All of them have observed a horrifying pattern of gunshots from snipers and quadcopters. Dr Tammy Abughnaim, an American emergency physician from Chicago working at Al Shifa Hospital, testified the following: "More and more I started to see children with penetrating injuries like gunshot wounds. After five, six, seven, eight, I came to the conclusion that somebody is shooting children... At first I didn't want to believe that children were being shot at... nobody wants to believe that other humans are capable of annihilating children in that way."

The reality dawned upon her when she treated the wounds that could only be the work of "snipers, foot soldiers with rifles and quadcopters armed with guns". Her colleague, Dr Mark Perlmutter, orthopedic hand surgeon from North Carolina who worked as a volunteer in Nasser Hospital, added: "The target at the end of the scope is unmistakable. When that trigger gets pulled on that target, it is not by accident. At all. Ever."

Drop Site News relates the poignant story of ten-year-old Mira Al Darim. She lived in a makeshift tent in Khan Younis. On August 24, she woke up early as it was the birthday of her elder sister Rafat. "Wake up Mom," she told her mother. "We have to prepare a cake for Rafat." While her mother was waking up, she took a sandwich from the kitchen, if it could be called one, and started eating. As she opened her mouth, a bullet hit her in the head and blew up her skull. She fell down in a pool of blood, an innocent victim of a ruthless Israeli sniper, lurking in the rubble of Gaza and maliciously aiming at children. Imagine she was your child. Imagine seeing her skull blown up in front of your eyes. How would you feel? How devastated would you be? Indeed, there are no words to describe the excruciating pain of a parent in the face of such horrors.

Not only the living are targeted but even the unborn are prevented from seeing the light of day. On 2nd March, Israel cut off all supplies of food, fuel and medicine. Thousands of pregnant women began facing starvation, malnutrition and inability to procure life-saving medicines. The situation is further exacerbated with the systematic targeting of medical facilities and forced mass displacements. The result of all this has been an exponential increase of miscarriages, which have risen by a staggering 300%. A case in point is that of 27-year-old Lojain Abu Shanab, as related by Drop Site News. On 15th March, following the orders of the Israeli army, she had to flee her home. As no transportation was available, she had to flee on foot. After walking for about 3 kms, she felt severe pain and cramps which intensified until she had a miscarriage. "I didn't only lose my baby. I lost my dream too," she lamented. Women like her, many of whom had waited for years to become pregnant, just lost their fetuses in similar circumstances. According to UNFPA, some 60,000 pregnant women are suffering from acute malnutrition and their fetuses are hanging between life and death.

The unimaginably dire condition is illustrated by the case of Khaleda, pregnant since four months. She relates that she has nothing to eat except some bread and often she goes to sleep with an empty stomach. In such conditions, is there any hope of successfully giving birth to her expected child? This is the life to which Israel has condemned the women and children of Gaza in utter disregard of humanity and humanitarian law.

We cannot but ask: what kind of a world are we living in? Children, the priceless gifts of God, the supreme joys of our life, the raison d'être of our existence, the creatures we cherish with all our hearts, the embodiment of our hopes and future, the very symbol of innocence and vulnerability, are being butchered, murdered, bombed, massacred, their bodies converted into mere body parts often with heads missing, decapitated and decimated while the world is looking the other way. During World War 2, when 6 million Jews were exterminated, the world had a pretext. Hitler was carrying the genocide in secret. This genocide is being done openly, livestreamed on social media on a 24 hr basis, yet the world is not lifting a finger to stop it. Some countries are even abetting it by supplying arms and weaponry and sharing of intelligence. It is a shame on humanity. All these talks about human rights, international laws and UN conventions are futile and meaningless in the face of the open and avowed genocide being committed by Israel.

“Silence, on tue”. This is the answer of the world, especially the so-called civilized West.

Azize Bankur