Former Mauritius President Anerood Jugnauth dies aged 91

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius 

Former President and Prime Minister of Mauritius, Anerood Jugnauth has died aged 91.

President Prithvirajsing Roopun announced on Thursday evening; “It is with deep sadness and greater regret that we announce the death of Sir Anerood Jugnauth on June 3 as a result of illness.”

Upon learning the unfortunate news of Anerood’s demise, African Union chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has said, “Africa has lost a pioneering veteran statesman, who was at the forefront of nation building, social development and good governance.”

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed Sir Anerood Jugnauth as, “a tall leader and statesman, was the architect of modern Mauritius. A proud Pravasi Bharatiya, he helped forge the special bilateral relationship that will benefit from his legacy. Condolences to his family & the people of Mauritius. Om Shanti.”

Anerood served as Mauritius Prime Minister from 1982 to 1995 and again from 2000 to 2003.

He was then elected as President, and served as such from 2003 to 2012.

Following his party’s victory in the 2014 general elections, he was appointed again to serve his sixth term as Prime Minister by President Kailash Purryag on 14 December 2014.