Mauritius: Information on the Mauritius Labour Party (MLP); the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) and the Mauritian Socialist Movement (MSM)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 13 December 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MUS38151.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mauritius: Information on the Mauritius Labour Party (MLP); the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) and the Mauritian Socialist Movement (MSM), 13 December 2001, MUS38151.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be7510.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Mauritius Labour Party (MLP). Also referenced as the Workers' Party [Parti des travailleurs – PTr] and a Hindu-based party (Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 635), the Mauritius Labour Party (MLP) was founded in 1936 (Europa 2001 200, 2680; Quest Economist Database 6 Sept. 2001). Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam acts as party leader (The CIA World FactBook 25 Sept. 2001; Europa 2001 200, 2680; Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 636) while Jean François Chaumiere is the Chairman and Sarat Dutt Lallah, the Secretary General (Europa 2001 2001, 2680; Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 636).
For more information on the Mauritius Labour Party (MLP), including its history, Politburo and leaders profile please refer to its Internet Website at
Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM). Founded in 1969 (Quest Economist Database 6 Sept. 2001a; Europa 2001 2001, 2680), the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM), a "radical left-wing group" (Europa 2001 2001, 2676) is led by Paul Berenger (The CIA World Fact Book 25 Sept. 2001; Europa 2001 200, 2680; Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 636) while Ahmad Jeewah is the chairman and Ivan Collendavelloo, the Secretary General (Secretary General respectively (Europa 2001 2001, 2680).
Mauritian Socialist Movement (MSM). The MSM was founded in 1983 by former members of the MMM (The CIA Fact Book 25 Sept. 2001; Europa 2001 2001, 2680; Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 636). Sir Anerood Jugnauth acts as its leader (ibid.) while Joe Lesjongard and Vishwanath Sajadah act as chairman and Secretary General respectively (Europa 2001 2001, 2680).
Recent Electoral History. In December 1995 parliamentary elections, an alliance of the MLP and the MMM won 60 of 66 seats (PolisSci.com 2001; Europa 2001 2001, 2677) and MLP leader Navinchandra Ramgoolam became the Prime Minister (Quest Economics Database 6 Sept. 2001a; Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 636). This alliance broke up in June 1997 (Quest Economics Database 6 Sept. 2001a; Europa 2001 2001, 2677; The Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 636) and the MMM left the government and became an opposition party (Quest Economics Database 6 Sept. 2001a; Europa 2001 2001, 2677).
In preparation for the next general elections, the MMM formally joined, in January 1999, the Mauritian Socialist Movement (MSM) to form the MMM–MSM coalition (The Political Handbook of the World: 1999 1999, 636). During the most recent legislative election of 11 September 2000, the MMM–MSM coalition won 54 of the 62 contested seats and formed the current government (Europa 2001 2001, 2678; The PoliSci.com Apr. 2001; The Financial Times 18 Dec. 2000). The leader of the MMM, Paul Berenger acts as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance (Europa 2001 2001, 2678; Quest Economics Database 6 Sept. 2001b) while Sir Arenoold Jugnauth of the MSM acts as Prime Minister and Minister of the Defence and for Home Affairs (ibid.). A New coalition of the MLP and the Mauritian Social Democratic Party (MLP–PMSD) obtained 6 seats (Europa 2001 2001, 2678; Elections Around the World 27 Nov. 2001).
A 22 February 1998 Manchester Guardian Weekly noted that all "the Mauritian Labour Party (MLP), the Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) and the Mauritian Socialist Movement (MSM) "are ostensibly socialist parties. But since the 1970s successive government of the three parties have determinedly pursued free-market economics, bringing rapid growth, high employment rates and rising income."
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
The CIA World Factbook. 25 September 2001. "Mauritius." <http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/mp.html> [Accessed 7 Dec. 20010
Elections Around the World. 27 November 2001. "Elections in Mauritius."
The Europa World Year Book 2001. 2001. 42nd ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.
The Financial Times [London]. 18 December 2000. Victor Mallet. "Mauritius: Unusual Alliance, But Will It Work?" The Arrangement Between the MSM and MMM Before the Recent Elections Has Seen the Return to Power of Arnerood Jugnault."
The Manchester Guardian Weekly. 22 February 1998. Andrew Meldrum. "Mauritius Tries to Dodge the Tiger Trap." (NEXIS)
PoliSci.com. April 2001. The Political Reference Almanac.
Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks, Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.
The Quest Economics Database. 6 September 2001a. "Mauritius: Country Profile." (NEXIS).
_____. 6 September 2001b. "Mauritius: Review." (NEXIS)
