Africa-Press – Mauritius. An allegation of extreme gravity was made by the ex-CEO of Mauritius Telecom, and this was denied by the Prime Minister in his response to the PNQ of the leader of the Opposition, last Tuesday, in Parliament.
Opinions at the bar level differ as to what offense was allegedly committed and what could be reported to the police, so without precise details and evidence provided by Sherry Singh himself, there is a risk of going in circles, Nope?
Dr Avinaash Munohur: It is clear that the allegations made by Sherry Singh are extremely serious, and paint a particularly disturbing picture of the current exercise of power in Mauritius – a democratic state which has always been respected and held up as a model exemplary liberal practices in the region, by our geostrategic partners, with international institutions and with foreign investors.
The image for power is extremely damaging, denying it would be in bad faith. We have on the one hand a Sherry Singh communicating effectively and on the other a Pravind Jugnauth who seems for the moment cornered, and whose answers are weak in view of the gravity of the accusations.
The performance of the Speaker of the National Assembly on July 5 clearly did not help the Prime Minister to restore some confidence in his action, at such a critical moment in his term of office.
The Prime Minister confirmed, on July 6, that a telephone conversation with the former CEO of Mauritius Telecom concerning access to a technical team from India in Baie Jacotet had indeed taken place.
But he rejected Sherry Singh’s accusations that he had requested the installation of equipment allowing the sniffing or interception of computer data.
It is clear that the fog is thickening and until Sherry Singh comes up with solid evidence to back up his allegations and accusations – and in particular evidence demonstrating the willingness to install sniffing and data capture – we will stay in the dark. And it is essential that Sherry Singh does this so that we can see this more clearly.
Are we really in a serious business at the heart of power or are we only in a war of ego, where a former close collaborator who may have been pushed out seeks to sensationalize in order to splash his former master ? This point remains to be clarified and it is urgent and extremely important that Sherry Singh comes forward with evidence since his revelations have plunged the reputation of the country into a spiral which can become extremely toxic.
I do not forget that we are just recovering from the inclusion of our financial sector on the blacklist of tax havens of the European Union, so we must do everything to improve and strengthen our image internationally.
Our country is far too dependent on foreign investment for this kind of allegation, or even suspicion of conspiracies, to remain without clear and precise answers.
* Another current of opinion maintains that the allegation that the Prime Minister gave instructions to Sherry Singh for a “third party” to be authorized to access the Mauritius Telecom network to install equipment ‘ sniffing’ could be considered an offense involving instructions to commit a crime under article 38 of the Penal Code or incitement to high treason.
Again, without evidence or witnesses, there will be no trial against the Prime Minister… It is absolutely clear that without evidence, without a police investigation and without grounds for prosecution, there can be no trial.
And, until proven otherwise, any accused citizen has the right to the presumption of innocence until this accusation is formally transformed into a verdict by a Court of Justice.
Objectively, we are forced to note that we do not actually know much about the concrete content of the allegations made. We need to know a lot more before we can have an informed opinion since so many questions remain unanswered.
Suppose the allegations are true and Sherry Singh turns over evidence of his claims to the police, then a whole host of questions will arise. At the time of our discussion, PravindJugnauth has already admitted that he did indeed call Sherry Singh to ask him for access to the Baie Jacotet facilities in order to carry out a ‘survey’ there.
The reason given for this request is “state security” and we know that a team had been dispatched following a request by Pravind Jugnauth to the Indian PM.
But we don’t know anything yet about the nature of this survey, just as we don’t know the reasons that led the Prime Minister to ask for this survey to be carried out.
In addition, a ‘survey’ carried out by Indian technicians does not necessarily inform us about who is the beneficiary of this ‘survey’, which amounts to saying that we do not yet know for sure who the “third party” mentioned is. by Sherry Singh.
Is it a foreign power or is it rather a device installed so that the Mauritian state can collect information for its own account? If this last hypothesis is verified, then why does the Mauritian government have to collect this information? When the Prime Minister talks about state security, what is he referring to?
I leave readers free to speculate on the answers to these questions. I would rather draw your attention to the fact that we are faced with two different hypotheses.
It seems to me that in the first hypothesis – that of the installation of surveillance equipment on behalf of a foreign power – we are effectively within the framework of article 38 of the Penal Code and that there may be high treason.
the fact that the Head of Government authorized access to devices and information engaging his responsibility as Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. There may even be an extremely serious national security breach, let’s not underestimate it, in this hypothesis.
In the second hypothesis – which is that of the installation of these surveillance devices on behalf of the Mauritian State – there is not necessarily high treason since access to networks and information is done in the context of a warrant from the government for its own use.
I am not saying here that this hypothesis does not pose a problem. On the contrary, we are, just as in the first hypothesis, faced with serious questions related to freedom of expression, the proper functioning of democracy, the rights of individuals to oppose a power, etc.
, but we We are not in a case where a head of government acted on behalf and for the benefit of a foreign power. It seems to me that it is important to make this distinction since it has radically different consequences.
But, beyond the legal question and the legal definition of high treason in this specific case – which is the subject of a legal debate – we must not hide the political dimension of the notion of treason.
Are we in Mauritius today in the situation where a head of government, who is the guarantor of our national security and the sovereignty of our country, would have used his power to try to obtain information by illicit, that his function could not condone?
Again, we are speculating, and without evidence, without specifics, and without answers to a whole host of questions that arise, we cannot know. We must therefore wait and avoid any dangerous and risky speculation.
* In the end all this agitation around the allegation of Sherry Singh also risks turning into blood sausage especially for the opposition if the ex-CEO of Mauritius Telecom does not manage to support by means of evidence or worse don’t want to go any further, do you?
Again, the imperative of proof is on Sherry Singh. He is the accuser, he must now support his accusations. It is about his reputation and his honor as a citizen, and especially as a citizen suddenly playing the card of a rediscovered patriotism, after so many years spent on the front line of the benefits and advantages that proximity can provide with power.
That the case turns into a blood sausage for the opposition, I do not think so. The opposition plays its part. She is the first to ask Sherry Singh to come forward with evidence; not being able to base its actions on gratuitous speculations.
There is, therefore, a responsibility of the opposition parties, and especially those with representatives in the National Assembly. Their deputies ask questions and would like answers, like all Mauritians curious about public affairs.
But, as you know, it is not always easy for opposition deputies to exercise the sovereign right conferred on them by the people to represent them and defend their interests by questioning the majority in the National Assembly.
Last point on your question… we hear, in the last part, that Sherry Singh could be convinced to withdraw his charges and make a kind of public mea culpa.
It seems to me that in unpacking such accusations, and with such force, he cannot back down now. There would be very serious questions to ask him if he backed down, and he will have a moral duty to answer them.
* However, if what Sherry Singh said turns out to be true, what concerns you most about this whole affair?
If this hypothesis – and I insist on this term, it is only a hypothesis for the moment – turns out to be verified and proven, then a Pandora’s box will have been opened, with waves shock that could have extremely serious geopolitical repercussions.
First, the Prime Minister will have to resign and explain the reasons for his actions, before relying on justice. Once again, we will be faced with a whole set of questions.
Why did you do such a thing? Are the reasons purely partisan politics – as was, for example, the case with the Watergate affair in the United States? Or are we caught in the middle of a big data and information war between different foreign powers?
I do not forget, for example, that the sinews of the trade war between the United States and China was the war of the big data and information economy, with Huawei and Chinese 5G at the forefront of American attacks – and in particular for reasons of surveillance and control of data and information flows. We are here in the field of major geostrategic issues, with the competition for world hegemony at stake.
Some geopolitical scientists also say that we are currently in a historic phase of redistribution of power relations on a global scale, with on the one hand the United States which is reviewing its globalist ambitions and its security priorities at high speed; and on the other, the rise of China, notably through the Belt and Road Initiative, which is in a phase of aggressive conquest of new markets for its industries.
There is of course, in the wake of these two global superpowers, a whole host of other countries whose geostrategic ambitions and aspirations should not be underestimated.
This reshuffling of the cards is happening just as much in Indo-Pacific waters as it is in digital spaces – controlling data today is equivalent to controlling one of the central nerves of what drives global commerce and globalization.
I will add here that it would be extraordinarily innocent to think that we are not caught up in these issues here in Mauritius. * Whether or not these Sherry Singh allegations are true, what do you think her real motives may be? Is the tide turning, in your opinion?
This is, in my view, an extremely critical moment in the current mandate. And yes, things can change for the Prime Minister. The first thing that should be said is that Sherry Singh chose the frontal attack.
He did not go with a dead hand, and that is the least we can say. By doing this, Sherry Singh took the initiative and showed that he was not shy. “He’s going for the kill” as we would say in English. In view of possible political ambitions, this is an excellent communication stunt.
Now, it also seems extremely clear to us that if these allegations do not push the Prime Minister out then it is Sherry Singh himself who will be knocked out, with what we can guess are extremely serious consequences for him.
We are really like a boxing match between two men, and this situation could produce real political instability. I distinguish here political situation and electoral situation.
Let me explain… It seems to me that given the current economic reality, with the explosion in the cost of living, the concerns of the majority of Mauritians are elsewhere.
If you add to that the fact that we are here in a case which is – in view of the lack of precedents, the technologies and the issues involved – extremely complex and obscure to understand, we may well be in a situation where the Prime Minister is able to win a general election – which he will have every interest in calling if he is forced to resign – even though he will be in a situation of generalized mistrust.
Distrust of institutional actors, distrust of economic actors, distrust of foreign partners, distrust of world observers, etc. Mauritius would then face an extremely dangerous and serious situation whether for our economy, for our democracy, or even for the security of the nation.
I’m pushing the envelope a bit, but this scenario is not impossible. It is no longer fiction. This is also why the opposition forces have a duty to put their differences aside in order to be able to form a united and united front so that our country does not find itself in this situation.
* Moreover, the affair of ‘sniffers’ and the ‘coming-out’ of Sherry Singh already have an impact on the political spectrum and this will probably increase in the coming weeks if this denier comes to unpack more other matters likely to destabilize the governing alliance.
However, do you have the impression that the election campaign has already been launched, much earlier than expected? I had the impression, while listening to the last budget, that the government majority was doing all it could to call the general election as quickly as possible.
There is too great a disjunction between the current economic situation, and in particular the instability of the Rupee, and the ability of the Minister of Finance to put in place onerous measures to support the purchasing power of the working classes to think otherwise.
I am not saying that the government already has a timetable for the next general election, but it seems to me that it has given itself the means to do so and it must be admitted that this is a good tactic of their go.
We are in such a situation of uncertainty and invisibility in relation to the medium term that the majority would have every interest in calling early general elections as soon as a favorable window of opportunity arises.
Waiting for the natural dissolution of the National Assembly in November 2024 is tantamount to agreeing to navigate the uncertainty of the future, which MSM strategists have often refused to do.
I remember, for example, here the mandates of SAJ which lasted less than 5 years in the 1980s and 1990s. I have no doubt that Pravind Jugnauth will apply the same method, especially if he thinks that the opposition will be caught off guard.
* The Sherry Singh case constitutes a big piece for the opposition, probably more effective than the other cases and themes, including the depreciation of the rupee and the crisis of purchasing power affecting the population, etc.
, which have dominated the news in recent months.
However, does it have to be seen as a valid alternation, is it not? A big chunk most certainly, but we must not forget that this government has never ceased to accumulate scandals.
We haven’t forgotten the disastrous handling of the Wakashio oil spill, we haven’t forgotten the obscurity around past Emergency Procurements during Covid, we haven’t forgotten the resignation of the former Minister of Commerce in the framework of the Kistnen affair, and so on…
This case adds to an already long series of scandals, but we feel that we are here facing a case whose implications and repercussions could be much more serious than the others.
Are we heading towards a tipping point? We will see. It is still too early to comment on this question, but it is clear that the Prime Minister is navigating in a sensitive area.
The opposition will most certainly act as it has always done, which is to say responsibly. It is important not to fall into dangerous fantasies and speculations, and to move forward carefully and rationally. National security and social peace remain the priorities of anyone seriously involved in politics.
At the same time, we continue to work – as I can do with my comrades from the Sustainable Development Commission – on a better understanding of our world, our country and the problems we experience and which affect our compatriots, sometimes in a violent way.
The responsibility of the opposition is not only the construction of political alliances representing a credible alternative, but the fact of building these alliances on solid projects and which respond to current challenges – whether economic, social, security, energy , institutional or cultural.
* Some political observers persist in believing that a PTr-L’Entente de l’Espoir alliance is absolutely necessary to confront the alliance in power, but things are still stuck on this level, due to the disagreement on the leadership of a broader opposition alliance.
And, it is unclear whether Labor is looking in the same direction as the other components of the opposition, in particular the MMM. What do you think?
I have a lot of respect for political observers, especially when they allow us to have a better readability of sometimes complex political situations.
But they are also sometimes mistaken, and in particular in the ease with which they see in all the little phrases postures that do not correspond to the reality of the negotiations and the talks.
Political alliances are not things that can be taken lightly, depending on how good one feels when waking up in the morning or coming home from work after a hard day.
Political alliances are based on common projects, and it is extremely important to agree on the projects, and on the way to carry them out. I remember, for example, here the mandates of SAJ which lasted less than 5 years in the 1980s and 1990s.
I have no doubt that Pravind Jugnauth will apply the same method, especially if he thinks that the opposition will be caught off guard. * The Sherry Singh case constitutes a big piece for the opposition, probably more effective than the other cases and themes, including the depreciation of the rupee and the crisis of purchasing power affecting the population, etc.
which have dominated the news in recent months. However, does it have to be seen as a valid alternation, is it not? A big chunk most certainly, but we must not forget that this government has never ceased to accumulate scandals.
We haven’t forgotten the disastrous handling of the Wakashio oil spill, we haven’t forgotten the obscurity around past Emergency Procurements during Covid, we haven’t forgotten the resignation of the former Minister of Commerce in the framework of the Kistnen affair, and so on…
This case adds to an already long series of scandals, but we feel that we are here facing a case whose implications and repercussions could be much more serious than the others.
Are we heading towards a tipping point? We will see. It is still too early to comment on this question, but it is clear that the Prime Minister is navigating in a sensitive area.
The opposition will most certainly act as it has always done, which is to say responsibly. It is important not to fall into dangerous fantasies and speculations, and to move forward carefully and rationally. National security and social peace remain the priorities of anyone seriously involved in politics.
At the same time, we continue to work – as I can do with my comrades from the Sustainable Development Commission – on a better understanding of our world, our country and the problems we experience and which affect our compatriots, sometimes in a violent way.
The responsibility of the opposition is not only the construction of political alliances representing a credible alternative, but the fact of building these alliances on solid projects and which respond to current challenges – whether economic, social, security, energy , institutional or cultural.
* Some political observers persist in believing that a PTr-L’Entente de l’Espoir alliance is absolutely necessary to confront the alliance in power, but things are still stuck on this level, due to the disagreement on the leadership of a broader opposition alliance.
And, it is unclear whether Labor is looking in the same direction as the other components of the opposition, in particular the MMM. What do you think?
I have a lot of respect for political observers, especially when they allow us to have a better readability of sometimes complex political situations.
But they are also sometimes mistaken, and in particular in the ease with which they see in all the little phrases postures that do not correspond to the reality of the negotiations and the talks.
Political alliances are not things that can be taken lightly, depending on how good one feels when waking up in the morning or coming home from work after a hard day.
Political alliances are based on common projects, and it is extremely important to agree on the projects, and on the way to carry them out. We are not here in pure improvisation.
As a musician, I will tell you that jazz can seem improvisational, and there is no denying that it has an element of creativity, but jazz responds to an extremely rigid and solid harmonic structure.
The same goes for political projects and alliance negotiations: they must meet criteria that will ensure that the project proposed to the people will be carried out, despite the unforeseen events that will arise on our way.
I can tell you that the partners of the Lespwar Entente are looking in the same direction and have a common objective: the urgency of political change. It seems to me that the PTr has the same objective. But that is not enough in my opinion.
What counts, at this given moment in the history of our country and in the current situation, is to agree on a common project that will enable the Republic of Mauritius to fully enter the 21st century and to open a political cycle that will allow us to lay the foundations of a national project leading us towards the 2050s.
Once again, I consider that my comrades and I are caught up in this process even if it remains substantive work that does not necessarily attract the attention of the media, which have sometimes become too fond of sensationalism, to the point of forgetting the fundamental politics: the fact that it is the instrument with which we can change our world.
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