Air Mauritius, Some Nominees Resist Resignation

At Air Mauritius, while some nominated individuals have chosen to resign before facing potential dismissal, others are putting up a fight. Notably, CEO Charles Cartier and Atma Bhuma, the communications director, assert they are not politically appointed nominees but rather selected for their professional qualifications.

Cartier has even declared his intention to fulfill the remainder of his three-year contract.

This assertion has elicited laughter among employees at the airline, understanding that such appointments typically require government approval—specifically from the influential ruling bloc known as ‘Lakwizinn’.

It is widely recognized that Cartier was brought in to replace Ken Arian, who fell out of favor with the government.

Despite various controversies, including allegations of providing business-class tickets to family members and ongoing criticism of his management style, Cartier has remained in his role.

Similarly, Atma Bhuma’s appointment raised questions regarding his qualifications.

Previously a member of the MMM party, she switched allegiance to the MSM party.

Many believe his connections to Lakwizinn and personal relationships, rather than his communication skills in the aviation sector, were key to her hiring.

His involvement in politics includes serving as the campaign manager for the Alliance Lepep in Constituency Number 16—a role where his capabilities were overshadowed by his tendency to be photographed alongside former Prime Minister’s daughters.

Ultimately, the Alliance Lepep candidates in that constituency met with defeat.

The burning question remains: Are Cartier and Bhuma awaiting a lucrative severance package or a formal termination before deciding to exit the company?

Source: Le Mauricien