Dear compatriots, in Mauritius and elsewhere,
On this day of national celebration, I wish first and foremost to bring a message of hope.
54 years after Mauritius’ Independence, the country has come a long way, especially in the economic and social fields.
Members of the PMSD have contributed and will continue to contribute their expertise to the transformation of our island.
But we also face many problems today.
I will mention just a few: the corruption that has crept into all spheres of society, the drugs that are taking their toll and destroying entire families, and the domestic and family violence that continues to claim victims.
The hundreds of Covid-19 positive patients who have died under murky circumstances, the refusal to make public the report of the Fact Finding Committee, which would have provided the answers that the people are demanding.
The government’s stubbornness to maintain opacity, without ever understanding the pain of an entire nation.
We must not forget the growing impoverishment of the Mauritian population in the face of rising prices as a result of bad decisions taken.
The list of ills that plague our country is long, and in this difficult context, I fear for the future. I fear greatly for our quality of life, our security, our well-being, with such a government.
The biggest problem remains the failure of our institutions, marked by a policy of incompetence and recklessness at all levels.
This is what we must fight against.
My appeal today is that we reject these unhealthy practices present in all spheres. Corruption, abuse of power, incompetence and mediocrity should not be synonymous with the ‘new normal’ in Mauritius.
It is not normal and we must not get used to it.
A clean Mauritius, where merit and competence have their place, a modern country where public services are efficient, a country free of corruption and “drug free” – all this is possible with a new government that cares for everyone, without exception.
On this national day, I reiterate my commitment to work and to accompany Mauritians in this fight for a new Mauritius.
I wish you a wonderful Independence Day.
With all my best wishes,
Xavier-Luc Duval
Leader of the Opposition and the PMSD
