Several thousand demonstrators took to the streets in the capital of Mauritius on Saturday in a rare protest against corruption and living standards on the Indian Ocean island. About 3,000 people, many of them young, marched peacefully through the capital Port Louis to the St Louis Cathedral where the organisers of a Facebook campaign called for a better future for the youth of the popular tourist destination.
Mauritius has long been lauded for its sound economic policies and stable political system, but a row this year between senior politicians over corruption allegations has rocked the ruling coalition and angered many. "We are fed up with corruption and injustice in this country. This protest is a clear signal to the authorities that things must change for the better," said a 55-year-old protester called Sylvio, who is self-employed.
Inspired by the Arab Spring uprising and galvanised by the graft scandal that triggered the departure of one party from the government, campaigners launched a Facebook initiative "WANTED: 15,000 Youngsters to Save OUR Future!" "We are calling for an all encompassing and inclusive economic system which does not leave anybody lagging behind in the gutter," the group said in its manifesto.
Analysts have said the political uncertainty has hit business sentiment and could jeopardise the economic outlook and ultimately hit growth in a country which markets itself as a bridge between Africa and Asia. Successive coalition governments have pledged to improve social security in Mauritius, where unemployment is running at just over 8 percent. "We are only asking for a better future. It is high time that we had political change in this country," said Mary Jane, a 26-year-old protester.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.