Based on your experience as a former Attorney General, would you say that constitutional governance in Mauritius has strengthened or deteriorated in recent years and what explains that shift?

• Based on my experience as a former Attorney General, I would characterise constitutional governance in Mauritius as having followed a mixed trajectory in recent years—one marked by institutional resilience, yet accompanied by discernible areas of strain and gradual erosion.

• On the one hand, the constitutional framework of Mauritius remains fundamentally robust. The independence of the judiciary has, to a significant extent, been preserved, and the courts have continued to assert their role as guardians of the Constitution. A number of important judgments have reaffirmed core constitutional principles, including the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights, and the doctrine of separation of powers. This continued judicial vigilance reflects an underlying institutional strength which should not be underestimated.

• However, this resilience should not obscure structural and systemic challenges within the administration of justice. There is, in my view, a compelling case for the establishment of a distinct Court of Appeal, as it is conceptually and institutionally problematic for judges of the Supreme Court to sit both at first instance and on appeal. Additionally, the functioning of the District and Intermediate Courts remains a matter of concern, with increasing caseloads, infrastructural limitations, and delays affecting the effective dispensation of justice.

• To make the executive more accountable, there is a strong case for the establishment of specialised parliamentary committees—covering sectors such as finance, law and order, justice, agriculture, financial services, the blue economy, foreign affairs, public infrastructure, and the environment. Such committees would enhance oversight, improve transparency, and ensure that the Executive remains meaningfully accountable. Ultimately, one of the enduring challenges of governance is not the formulation of policy, but its effective implementation—something that can only be achieved through sustained oversight and institutional checks.

• In conclusion, while Mauritius continues to benefit from a solid constitutional foundation, the trajectory of governance reflects both continuity and concern. Strengthening institutions, reinforcing accountability mechanisms, and revitalising parliamentary oversight will be critical to ensuring that constitutional governance not only endures, but evolves in line with democratic ideals.