Jagnot, Anirud

Youth and the beginning of a political career

Born March 29, 1930 in Wakawa Phoenix in the family of a small planter, a native of India . He studied at the primary school of Palma, received a secondary education at Regent College. For some time he studied at New Eton College, then worked as a clerk in the legal department, then moved to the court. In 1951, he left Mauritius and went to the UK , where he received a law degree from Lincoln's Inn . In 1954 he was admitted to the bar in London .

From 1954, after returning to Mauritius, he practiced law, at the same time began to actively participate in the political life of the country in the Labor Party (member of the Liberal Party in 1954-1971), and in the early 1960s, in the Independent Advanced Block ^{[1 ]} . In 1963 - 1967 , 1974 - 1995 and 2000 - 2003, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly (Parliament) from the district of Rivière-du-Rempart. In 1964 he was elected chairman of the village council of Palma.

From 1965 to 1969 was in the coalition government: from 1965 to 1966 - Minister of Development, from November 1966 to April 1967 - Minister of Labor.

He took an active part in the struggle for the independence of Mauritius. In 1966 he worked as a judge. In 1969, he resigned due to disagreement with the policies of the government of Prime Minister Sivusagur Ramgoolam . Since 1969, engaged in private law practice.

In 1971, he joined the Mauritius Combat Movement Party (MMM), became a member of the Central Committee and the Politburo, and from 1973 to 1983 was the leader of the party. From December 1976 to June 1982 - the leader of the opposition. In March 1983, as a result of the split, MMM founded a new party, the “ Combat Socialist Movement ” (MSM).

Premiership

After the 1982 elections , he was elected prime minister instead of Sivusagur Ramgoolam . For some time he was in a tactical alliance with the right-wing Social Democrats of Gaetan Duval . His reign was marked by economic growth and increased inter-ethnic tensions. In 1995, he lost the election, but in 2000 he returned to the post of prime minister.

Participation in resolving the issue of ownership of the Chagos Archipelago

Chagos Archipelago is located in the center of the Indian Ocean and consists of many islands that are important not only because of the extensive fish stocks in this area, but also because of its strategic position. Before Mauritius gained independence in 1968, the United Kingdom rejected Chagos from Mauritius in order to "rent out" the United States for 50 years, while evicting the indigenous population of the islands in violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ^[2] . In turn, the United States created a large Air Force and Navy base on the archipelago island Diego Garcia, which is why the demands of Mauritius to return Chagos are still unsatisfied. Meanwhile, the Parliament of Mauritius in 1983 adopted a law proclaiming the archipelago part of Mauritius territory.

On December 17, 2000, Anirud Jagnoth, as the Prime Minister of Mauritius, announced that the government intends to soon launch an international campaign in support of its demands for the return of the Chagos Archipelago ^[3] .

Taking a fairly consistent anti-imperialist and anti-globalization position, A. Djagnot announced from the podium of the 58th session of the UN General Assembly , which was held from September 23 to October 3, 2003 ^[4], about the legitimate sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago and Diego Garcia Island. In addition, he announced official support for the struggle to restore the rights of the deported inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, including their right to return to their homeland ^[5] . In his speech, Djagnot addressed Great Britain and France , including in particular the topic of Tromelin Island ownership:

The world community is quite sympathetic to the struggle of Mauritius for the return of the islands, it is enough to point out the clear and consistent position of India , the closest ally and partner of Mauritius ^[5] .

Presidency

September 30, 2003 A. Dzhagnot announced his resignation from the post of deputy and prime minister. In October 2003, he moved to the ceremonial post of president, simultaneously resigning from the post of leader of the MSM party. August 8, 2008 attended the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Beijing ^[7] . On September 19, 2008, he was re-elected in the first round by 100 percent of the votes of members of parliament, as there was no other candidate for the presidency ^[8] .

March 30, 2012 A. Dzhagnot announced his resignation from the presidency, saying:

The decision to leave his post and join the opposition movement was made because of an open conflict with Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolom ^[10], despite the fact that his son Pravind had previously held the post of deputy prime minister (who was forced to leave with the state-owned private medical clinic, owned by sister Pravind and daughter of Anirud, after which the supporters of Dzhagnotov left the government). Supporters of the prime minister accused Jagnoth of excessive interference in the process of governing the country ^[11] .

Again Prime Minister

In 2014, after the MSM won the early parliamentary elections, Anirud Jagnot returned to the post of prime minister (although his son Pravind remained the leader of the party). In January 2017, he resigned so that his son, who is the leader of the parliamentary majority party, became prime minister, which caused protests by the opposition, calling the method of transferring power "monarchist." He retained great influence in the government, taking the posts of "Minister-Mentor" (with broad unclear powers), Minister of Defense and Minister of Affairs Fr. Rodriguez ^[12] .

His party won the parliamentary elections in 1982 , 1983 , 1987 , 1991 , 2000 , 2014 , and he won the presidential elections in 2003 and 2008 . He always differed with his left-wing views (from radical to moderate ones) and his aggressive attitude towards the Muslim part of the population.

• QC ( 1980 ) ^[13]
• member of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council ( 1987 ) ^[13]
• Cavalier of the Grand Cross of the Order of the Pleiades ( 1984 ) ^[13]
• Order of the Rising Sun Class I ( Japan , January 1988 )) ^[13]
• Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor ( France , March 28, 1990 ) ^[13]
• Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George ( Great Britain , June 11, 1988 ) ^[13]

• Who is who in world politics / Ed. ed. L.P. Kravchenko . - M .: Politizdat , 1990. - p. 24.
• Sir Anerood Jugnauth presents him as 'Savior of the Nation'