Disgraced President expected to step down
Publish date: 12 March 2018
Issue Number: 765
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Mauritius
Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, the only woman head of state in Africa, is set to resign after being snared in a graft scandal. Mauritian newspaper L’Express published bank documents showing that she had used a credit card given to her by the London-based Planet Earth institute to make personal purchases worth thousands of dollars. The NGO is funded by Angolan billionaire Alvaro Sobrinho who is himself being investigated for fraud. A report on the Bellanaija site notes that she is expected to step down from the ceremonial position after ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of independence today (Monday). BBC News reports that Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth said 'the interest of the country comes first'. 'I am proud of Mauritius' image as a model of living democracy in the world,' he added. Legalbrief reports that Gurib-Fakim is a renowned Mauritian biodiversity scientist who has also been the recipient of various international awards. These include the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science (2007). She is the first woman elected President of the country and is the third woman to serve as head of state following Elizabeth II and Monique Ohsan Bellepeau, who acted as President in 2012 following the resignation of President Anerood Jugnauth.
