Anerood Jugnauth dies at 91

Anerood Jugnauth, the former prime minister of Mauritius, who is credited with steering the island nation’s economic transformation as its longest-serving leader, has died aged 91.

The was announced by Prithvirajsing Roopun the country’s president who said, “It is with deep sadness and greater regret that we announce the death of Sir Anerood Jugnauth on June 3 as a result of illness.” 

His funeral will be held on Friday. Two days of mourning have been declared, with the nation’s flag lowered to half-mast on all public buildings. Elected prime minister for the first of six times in 1982, Jugnauth would also serve two terms in the ceremonial role of president during a 35-year career.

He resigned in 2017 and handed the reins to his son Pravind, the country’s serving prime minister, who won a subsequent five-year term at the ballot box in 2019. Born March 29, 1930, Jugnauth trained as a lawyer and entered politics in 1963 when he was elected to parliament.

In 1965, Jugnauth participated in a historic conference in London that paved the way for the adoption of a constitution in the then-British colony, and independence some three years later.

He always fiercely campaigned to have the Chagos Islands, a British overseas territory in the Indian Ocean that hosts a key United States airbase, returned to Mauritius.

In the years under his rule, Mauritius developed from a poor, agriculture-based economy into one of Africa’s richest countries, a miracle often attributed to Jugnauth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, a close friend in the region, hailed “the architect of modern Mauritius” in a condolence message following the passing of the “tall leader and statesman.”

Padma Vibhushan Sir Anerood Jugnauth, a tall leader & statesman, was the architect of modern Mauritius. A proud Pravasi Bharatiya, he helped forge the special bilateral relationship that will benefit from his legacy. Condolences to his family & the people of Mauritius. Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/CktEnK4XMn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 3, 2021

India’s President also added in a tweet saying;

Deeply saddened to know about the demise of Sir Anerood Jugnauth. A global statesman, a visionary leader, a Padma Vibhushan and an extraordinary friend of India, his landmark contributions to India- Mauritius relations will always be remembered. Om Shanti.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) June 4, 2021

Suzan O/AJZ