New Cabinet Ministerial Team Unveiled at the State House

It’s official! After the legislative elections, the Alliance of Change, which achieved a resounding victory, revealed its cabinet on Friday, November 22. The new ministers took their oaths at State House.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam will retain the Finance portfolio alongside his leadership of the government.

Paul Bérenger has been appointed as Deputy Prime Minister.

Shakeel Mohamed, the Minister of Lands and Housing, takes third place in the hierarchy, followed closely by Rajesh Bhagwan, the newly appointed Minister of the Environment, who ranks fourth in the government.

Distribution of Portfolios

Of the 24 ministers appointed:

• 14 are from the Labour Party (PTr),
• 8 from the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM),
• 1 from the New Democrats (ND),
• 1 from Rezistans ek Alternativ (ReA).

For both the ND and ReA, this marks a historic first. Richard Duval of the ND will serve as Minister of Tourism, while Ashok Subron from ReA will oversee Social Integration, Social Security, and National Solidarity.

The PTr effectively has 15 ministers, including Me Gavin Glover, Senior Counsel, who has been appointed Attorney General.

He will assume office on November 29 due to prior professional commitments.

Representation of Women in the Cabinet

The new government features two women among the ministers:

• Arianne Navarre-Marie (MMM), Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare.
• Jyoti Jeetun (MMM), Minister of Financial Services and Economic Development.

New Ministers

Fourteen members of the cabinet are taking on ministerial roles for the first time:

• Richard Duval (ND): Minister of Tourism.
• Ashok Subron (ReA): Minister of Social Integration, Social Security, and National Solidarity.
• Jyoti Jeetun (MMM): Minister of Financial Services and Economic Development.
• Ritish Ramful (PTr): Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• Deven Nagalingum (MMM): Minister of Sports.
• Reza Uteem (MMM): Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations.
• Osman Mahomed (PTr): Minister of Land Transport.
• Kaviraj Sukon (PTr): Minister of Higher Education and Research.
• Aadil Ameer Meea (MMM): Minister of Industry, SMEs, and Cooperatives.
• Mahend Gungapersad (PTr): Minister of Education and Human Resources.
• Avinash Ramtohul (PTr): Minister of ICT.
• Raj Penthiah (PTr): Minister of Public Service.
• Ranjiv Woochit (PTr): Minister of Local Authorities.
• Mahen Gondeea (PTr): Minister of Arts and Culture.

Experienced Ministers

Ten members of the cabinet have prior ministerial experience:

• Navin Ramgoolam (PTr): Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, among other roles.
• Paul Bérenger (MMM): Deputy Prime Minister.
• Shakeel Mohamed (PTr): Minister of Lands and Housing.
• Rajesh Bhagwan (MMM): Minister of the Environment.
• Arvin Boolell (PTr): Minister of Agro-Industry and Blue Economy.
• Ajay Gunness (MMM): Minister of National Infrastructure.
• Anil Bachoo (PTr): Minister of Health.
• Patrick Assirvaden (PTr): Minister of Energy.
• Arianne Navarre-Marie (MMM): Minister of Gender Equality.
• Michael Sik Yuen (PTr): Minister of Commerce.

Female Junior Ministers

Among the ten Junior Ministers who took their oaths, four are women:

• Joanna Bérenger (MMM): Junior Minister for the Environment.
• Karen Foo Kune-Bacha (MMM): Junior Minister for Sports.
• Anistha Babooram (PTr): Junior Minister for Gender Equality.
• Véronique Leu-Govind (ND): Junior Minister for Arts and Culture.

Distribution of Junior Ministers

• 5 from the PTr
• 3 from the MMM
• 1 from ReA
• 1 from the ND

Complete List of Junior Ministers

Véronique Leu-Govind (ND): Arts and Culture.

Dhaneshwar Damry (PTr): Finance

Fabrice David (PTr): Agro-Industry

Joanna Bérenger (MMM): Environment

Karen Foo Kune-Bacha (MMM): Sports

Sydney Pierre (PTr): Tourism

Fawzi Allymun (MMM): Local Authorities

Anistha Babooram (PTr): Gender Equality

Rajen Nursinghen (PTr): Foreign Affairs

Kugan Parapen (ReA): Social Integration

Véronique Leu-Govind (ND) : Arts & Culture

The newly appointed cabinet reflects a blend of experience and fresh faces, highlighting both continuity and change in governance. As they embark on their roles, attention will be focused on their determination and effectiveness in tackling the pressing challenges ahead.

Source: Defi Media