[Blog] Guardianship or Governance? : A Civic Reflection on the Prime Minister’s Interview

The Prime Minister’s recent interview on Au Cœur de l’Info, reported in Le Défi, was framed as a moment of reassurance. He spoke of resilience, of Mauritius weathering storms, of continuity in leadership. Yet, as citizens, we must look beyond the ceremonial tone and ask: does this narrative truly meet the demands of governance, or is it still too anchored in symbolism and blame?

The Overemphasis on Moody’s

One striking feature of the Prime Minister’s narrative was the repeated invocation of Moody’s ratings. While international assessments of our economy are important, they cannot become the sole measure of national progress. Mauritius is not built on ratings agencies; it is built on the lived realities of its people—workers, families, youth, and elders.

Economic resilience must be measured not only by how agencies view our debt profile, but by whether households feel secure, whether youth see opportunity, and whether dignity is embedded in workplaces. Moody’s may applaud fiscal discipline, but it does not sing the anthems of our children, nor does it heal the wounds of families facing drugs, violence, or harassment.

The Shadow of the Past

The Prime Minister was critical of the previous government, reminding listeners of its failures. Yet here lies a paradox. The people of Mauritius have already delivered their verdict on that administration. In November 2024, they granted him a 60–0 mandate—another historic and overwhelming endorsement. That mandate was not merely a rejection of the past; it was a call to build a new future whose foundation is yet to be lived.

To continue invoking the failures of the previous government as explanation for present dilemmas risks diminishing the very power of that mandate. The people have already condemned the past. What they now demand is accountability in the present. Guardianship cannot forever be defined in contrast to what came before; it must be defined by the courage to act now.

Symbolism vs. Substance

The Prime Minister’s words carried ceremonial weight. He spoke of drugs, corruption, workplace dignity—issues that resonate deeply with civic movements across the island. Yet symbolism must be matched with substance.

• On drugs: Citizens await a National Civic Shield that mobilizes schools, faith circles, and coastal vigilance networks with fishermen as stakeholders.

• On corruption: Rhetoric must be translated into independent oversight, transparent procurement, and measurable reforms through perhaps a Civil Service Integrity Award. 

• On workplace dignity: Announcements must evolve into productivity pledge,  charters, training, and enforcement mechanisms that protect workers across sectors.

Without concrete timelines and binding commitments, these themes risk remaining in the realm of narrative rather than governance.

The Civic Call

Mauritius today stands at a crossroads. The Prime Minister’s interview reminds us of the power of narrative, but narratives alone cannot heal a nation. What Mauritius requires is a covenant: between government and people, between guardianship and governance, between ceremony and action.

In this covenant, the true measure of progress must go beyond Moody’s ratings or GDP figures. What people ultimately desire is happiness—security in their homes, dignity in their workplaces, hope for their children, and harmony in their communities. A Gross Happiness Index, inspired by global models, could serve as a compass for Mauritius: tracking not only economic growth but also wellbeing, social trust, cultural vitality, and environmental stewardship. Such an index would remind leaders that governance is not about numbers alone, but about nurturing joy and dignity in everyday life.

Civic movements—from anti-drug campaigns to workplace dignity charters, from environmental stewardship to media ethics—are ready to complement national priorities. But they cannot remain symbolic partners. They must be empowered as co architects of reform. The government must move beyond invoking Moody’s and blaming predecessors, and instead embrace participatory governance that honors the 60–0 mandate as a living responsibility.

The Chagos Dimension: Blue Economy and Global Learning

No reflection on Mauritius’ future can ignore the Chagos question. Beyond sovereignty, Chagos represents an extraordinary opportunity to anchor the development of the blue economy. A Chagos Development Corporation could become the institutional framework for innovation, sustainability, and global partnership.

Imagine Chagos as the world’s first solar powered island, a living laboratory where renewable energy, marine conservation, and sustainable fisheries converge. Such a project would not only symbolize Mauritian leadership in climate resilience but also offer a model for small island states worldwide. The blue economy must not remain a slogan; it must be embodied in Chagos as a beacon of dignity, sustainability, and global learning. Mauritius can feed the world with sea food through the Chagos Development Corporation.

Conclusion: From Ratings to Responsibility

The Prime Minister’s interview was dignified, but it leaned too heavily on external ratings and past failures. Mauritius deserves more. The people have already condemned the previous administration. They entrusted this government with another  historic mandate in November 2024. That mandate is not a shield against criticism; it is a responsibility to deliver.

Guardianship is noble, but governance is necessary. The Prime Minister has the opportunity to transform narrative into covenant, symbolism into substance, and ceremony into action. The people of Mauritius await not another reminder of Moody’s or the failures of the past, but a roadmap of dignity, resilience, and accountability for the future—one that includes Chagos as the centerpiece of a blue economy that inspires the world.

The Gross Happiness Index – A Compass for Mauritius

• Economic Security: Jobs, fair wages, and protection against inflation.
• Social Trust: Confidence in institutions, transparency, and accountability.
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•  Cultural Vitality: Celebration of heritage, arts, and intergenerational rituals.
• Environmental Stewardship: Clean air, renewable energy, and sustainable oceans.
• Community Wellbeing: Safety, dignity, and harmony in everyday lif

By adopting a Gross Happiness Index, Mauritius can redefine progress—not in ratings or GDP alone, but in the lived joy of its people. (Next to Follow)

By Dharamraj Deenoo, Civic Steward