55 years since our independence, Mauritius remains shackled by ethnic divisions and outdated colonial legacies. As we glance around at the forming political alliances, a disturbing pattern emerges: a rigid adherence to unwritten rules dictating our political leadership. We are trapped, not just by external forces, but by our self-constructed destiny.

Our small island, stretching from Dina Arobi to Mauritius, via Mauritzius and Isle de France, has always been a coveted jewel in the southwest Indian Ocean. Its strategic location on the spice, slave, and oil routes has historically made it attractive. Today, however, it’s not foreign powers but dynastic families and sectarian lobbies that dominate, refusing to reform the democratic process. This stagnation in democratic evolution has led to a paradoxical situation: while Mauritius is considered advanced on the African continent, it lags far behind countries like Singapore in various aspects.

Behind the multicultural façade that we proudly display abroad lies a nation struggling with the concept of nation-building. Our inability to move beyond superficial multiculturalism to genuine intercultural understanding is stalling our progress. Multiculturalism, once a celebrated model, now serves as a barrier to our growth, stifled by tribal politics and systems like the Best Loser System that hinder the development of a society where individual merit trumps ethnic allegiance.

Our social sciences reveal a stark truth: while quantitative research offers numerical data, qualitative research exposes the nuances in our society, the good and the bad. These studies don’t cover the nepotism and favoritism – the “father-son or father-daughter deals” and the crumbs thrown to relatives – that pervade our political landscape. Nor do they address the monopoly of the MBC over the airwaves, a symbol of our challenged democracy.

A free and independent press, alongside a robust Freedom of Information Act, is non-negotiable for a true democracy. Yet, we find ourselves grappling with these fundamental democratic principles.

The concept of a “rainbow nation,” once a proud declaration of our multiculturalism, now feels clichéd. The fragility of this ideal was evident in 1999, following the death of Creole singer Kaya, when the Indo-Mauritian and Creole communities stood on the brink of conflict. This incident highlighted the ephemeral nature of our so-called multicultural harmony.

Placing diversity at the forefront of our national development is not just a moral imperative but a strategic investment. Geneticist Albert Jacquard argues that our collective wealth stems from our diversity. Yet, in everyday life, this diversity is more about coexistence than integration – much like the separate colors of a rainbow.

The path forward requires a radical political shift. We need new political parties and figures willing to break the mold of ethnic politics. We need leaders who see themselves not as heads of tribal entities but as unifiers of a diverse nation. It’s time to rise above the fray and envision a Mauritius where our diversity is our strength, not a source of division. This is the challenge we face as we strive to build a nation that transcends the constraints of its colonial past and embraces a future of unity and shared progress.