Opposition protests in Mauritius as father hands power to son

Protesters hold a placard reading 'Democracy in grief' during a demonstration in Port Louis on January 27, 2017, after former Prime Minister Sir Anerood Jugnauth handed over power to his son Pravind on January 23, 2017. The 86-year-old Jugnauth officially handed his resignation to President Ameenah Gurib Fakim -- whose role is ceremonial -- after long hinting he would step down before his term expires in 2019. His 55-year-old son Pravind was sworn in at a ceremony boycotted by the opposition. Mauritius is a model of political stability in Africa, however the handover has created turbulence on the Indian Ocean island, best known as a dream beach holiday destination. / AFP PHOTO / JEAN MARC POCHE

PORT LOUIS -Two main opposition parties in Mauritius held a massive rally in the capital, Port Louis, to protest against Prime Minister Anerood Jugnauth decision to hand power to his son, Pravind.

The Mauritian Social Democrat Party (PMSD) and the Labour Party demanded elections to choose a new leader as their supporters chanted “No father-son deal”, “Democracy in Mourning” and “No to Monarchy.”

PMSD leader Xavier-Luc Duval said: “Anerood Jugnauth’s failure to resign as a member of parliament showed he would act as a babysitter for his son.”

In his address, Labour Party leader and former Prime Minster Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam said: “This was a black day for Mauritius. The Jugnauth family is turning the Island into a banana republic.” Mr Jugnauth cited the “Westminster tradition”, referring to the transfer of power from David Cameron to Theresa May. - BBC