Controversial remarks: bad times for Showkutally Soodhun

The Ambassador of Mauritius to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) once again finds himself at the center of a controversy following his recent statements deemed “inappropriate”. But he denies it.

“What do you know about me in Dubai? You can get your inn, all you need to know is the weather direction! » A regular at making controversial statements (see below), Showkutally Soodhun did it again during his 73rd birthday celebrations last weekend. Comments which caused the Mauritius ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to be the subject of a complaint filed Friday by Ram Dhurmea, the ousted director general of the Mauritius meteorological services, following the chaos caused by the passage of cyclone Belal.

For former Foreign Minister Anil Gayan, “Showkutally Soodhun could have saved his words”. “I think Showkutally Soodhun is very, very emotional. He gets carried away easily. But as an ambassador, he must have more restraint,” he emphasizes.

Anil Gayan, however, does not attribute any bad intentions to Showkutally Soodhun, whom he describes as a “very charming person with a tender heart”. “But I think he doesn’t think enough before saying things,” he adds. Before advising him to “weigh his words at least 100 times before pronouncing them”.

Everything suggests that Showkutally Soodhun speaks without thinking, confirms observer Faizal Jeerooburkhan. “It’s heartbreaking” Especially since Showkutally Soodhun represents Mauritius in the UAE, even around the world sometimes. “This is why he must act as a fine diplomat. »

Showkutally Soodhun, he continues, just celebrated his 73rd birthday a week ago. “One might have thought we were dealing with a calmed person. If a person cannot control his tongue, I wonder what to call it,” says Faizal Jeerooburkhan. His controversial remarks were also commented on by Linion Moris during a press conference on Friday. And for Nando Bodha, ex-member of the MSM who became leader of the Rassemblement Mauricien, “it’s pure Soodhun”.

Showkutally Soodhun: “Mo les lepep zize”

Following Ram Dhurmea's testimony against him on Friday, Showkutally Soodhun wanted to react. “I would like to point out that no names were mentioned during my speech. I learned, through the press, that Ram Dhurmea made a statement against me under article 288 of the Penal Code. I consider this to be a statement of bad faith,” he says. “The public knows that many jurists, including Mr. Glover, condemn 'criminal defamation' as an obsolete law that must be removed from our legislation. Even Geoffrey Robertson, KC, who is an expert, said that this law is not compatible with free and fair democracy,” recalls Showkutally Soodhun.

He said, therefore, astonished, that “Mr. Gavin Glover, who proclaims himself a great defender of human rights, could advise his client to use this law against me. Mo les lepep zize”.

Some “blunders” of Showkutally Soodhun

• November 2017. Showkutally Soodhun resigns as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Housing and Lands following his communal remarks made during a meeting at his office in July of the same year. There he met residents of Route Bassin, Quatre-Bornes, who were opposed to the construction of social housing. The meeting was recorded on a hidden camera and revealed to the press.
• July 2017. Showkutally Soodhun's office publishes a press release announcing that Mauritius was severing diplomatic relations with Qatar. The document has given rise to some confusion on the international scene. Foreign newspapers picked up the information.
• July 2017. During a dinner organized on Tuesday July 18 at the Flacq district council as part of the Eid ul-Fitr celebration, Showkutally Soodhun, who was then Deputy Prime Minister, violently attacked the leader of the opposition Xavier-Luc Duval, whom he accuses of having criticized Saudi Arabia. In a video circulating, we see him saying: “If koumadir my bodyguard ti given mwa revolver, mo touy Xavier Duval dan Parlman. Mo touy li… After the samem ki called jihad. Parski mo bien atase with Saudi Arabia. »