In the wake of the forthcoming general elections, political parties are warned. Their manifestoes for governing the country for the next five years, in case they win, will need to be realistic, ambitious, clear, financially quantified and implementable.

As the main parties have expressed their willingness to go alone in the election battle, nothing stops them from publishing well in advance their manifesto. There is no constraint that comes from the need to accommodate the philosophy, ideas and projects of partner parties in an alliance. If there still is some such constraint, it is minor.

The international economic, political, trade and diplomatic environment impacts and influences our own local landscape. There is a lot of uncertainty, instability and anxiety in numerous parts of the world. Our political parties need to heed the situation in the global scene and calibrate their manifesto accordingly.

The domestic situation in Mauritius is burdened with tough challenges that must be met to pursue a better course of sustainable, equitable and shared economic development. Several sectors of our economy (agriculture, manufacturing, and SMEs) are already in the doldrums. Even the erstwhile successful ones (tourism, real estate and offshore) are seriously threatened with declining prospects.

The social atmosphere in Mauritius is not serene. Socials ills caused by drug and gambling business, break-ups and violence in family circles, unethical conduct of leaders of all ilk (political, corporate, social and religious), continue to poison the daily atmosphere with shocking waves of sufferings and frustration.

Are our leaders so overwhelmed by these enormous problems and challenges that they fail to identify new avenues of actions and hence effectively manage and control the situation? Will the traditional leaders be able to adopt new approaches to govern the country? Can the political parties come up with innovative programmes that will create new and sustainable foundations on which will rest and flourish new economic sectors? Will the parties convince the electorate and the nation that they are serious and committed to fulfil their promises in their manifesto?

We need responsible, ethical and competent party leaders and politicians. This should be reflected in the list of candidates that the parties will publish for the forthcoming general elections. A new government that will merely tantamount to a change of individual politicians, with them practicing the same outdated policies, will doom our country to further delays in implementing radical changes that are warranted urgently.

Our country needs more fairness in the distribution of the wealth that it creates, more empowerment of the disadvantaged sections of the population, massive support to SMEs, reinstatement of credibility of its key institutions, greater inclusiveness, consultation and endorsement of social partners and more competency, productivity, innovation and effectiveness from corporate magnates and their companies. 

Can we legitimately expect the political parties that aim to govern the country anew to gratify us with credible manifestoes?

Geeanduth GOPEE
Former Director of Management
Audit Bureau and former Director-General of Office of Public Sector Governance