Africa’s only serving female president so far the Mauritius’ President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is to resign once the country marks its 50th independence anniversary celebrations on 12 March.
Should she quit this month, Gurib-Fakim would be avoiding an impeachment process being initiated by the government following allegations that she spent several hundred thousand rupees on personal purchases, using a Platinum credit card offered by a non-governmental organisation, Planet Earth Institute (PEI).
The Prime Minister of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth who made the announcement did not give details of when exactly the president is expected to quit.
Mr Jugnauth however signalled that the president’s resignation would happen before the country’s parliament resumes sitting on 27 March.
“The president of the republic has told me that she will resign from her position,” Mr Jugnauth is quoted by the local media as saying.
“We have agreed on the date but I will not announce it. The interest of the country comes first, and I am proud of Mauritius’ image as a model of living democracy in the world,” he added.
The prime minister also added that “It is important that we celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence, with serenity as one nation, a united people, and be proud of our homeland.”
The opposition parties in Mauritius have however signalled their intention to boycott the celebrations if president is still in power by next week’s celebrations.
Former Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Navinchandra Ramgoolamsaid said “It’s as if we are telling a supporting actress to go but the lead actors are here. There is not only one culprit in this mega-scandal.
“There are many questions,” he added. “How did billionaire Alvaro Sobrino came to Mauritius? Who facilitates his access? It does not only concern the president – there are many ramifications,” he concluded.
Source: Africafeeds.com
