Introduction: The APRM and its Implementation in Mauritius Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Jalloh, international consultant and former director of the West Africa regional office of UNECA. 26. 27. Socioeconomic development: Mr Mahmoud Ben Romdhane, former professor of economics at the University of Tunis and international consultant; and Mr Mouloud Tehami, associate professor of economics at the University of Oran. 28. In accordance with the APRM mandate, the CRM further investigated and authenticated the results of the self-assessment performed by the NESC on efforts made by Mauritius in the field of governance. In more concrete terms, the CRM: • • • • 29. 48 Corporate governance: Mr David Abdulai, chief executive officer (CEO) of the University of South Africa (UNISA) Graduate School of Business Leadership (GSBL); and Mr Najib Mohammed Harabi, professor of business administration at the University of Applied Sciences of Northwestern Switzerland. Held extensive consultations with all stakeholders in order to deepen and complete the self-assessment report. Evaluated the draft NPoA submitted by the country and made appropriate proposals. Ensured that, as far as was possible, the self-assessment process carried out by Mauritius was technically satisfactory, credible and devoid of any political manipulation. Established a consensus with the stakeholders on the remaining issues and challenges and made recommendations likely to improve governance in the country. Hence, the CRM met with all actors involved in the APRM process in Mauritius, particularly the president of the republic, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, members of government, the legislature, the judiciary, faith-based organisations, parastatals, decentralised communities, political parties, employer and private sector organisations, civil society, trade unions, youth movements, women’s organisations, and groups of disadvantaged persons, and held a press conference with the media. 1.4 Activities conducted during the CRM 30. The work of the CRM began with the CRM being granted an audience with the leader of the opposition. This was followed by the official Introduction: The APRM and its Implementation in Mauritius launch of the CRM during a ceremony attended by the minister of foreign affairs, regional integration and international trade, members of government, representatives from civil society and the private sector, the accredited diplomats based in Mauritius, and the development partners. The APRM delegation met with the prime minister and the president of the republic after the launch ceremony. 31. The CRM conducted its work in several stages. The first stage was undertaken in Port Louis, the capital and main city of Mauritius, where most government departments and diplomatic missions are located. The second stage took place in Rodrigues, the 10th district of Mauritius, where the CRM met with the chief commissioner and members of the council of Rodrigues. The third stage was in Grand Bay, where the CRM held most of its forums. 32. In Port Louis, the CRM met first with the APR Focal Point and the NESC to discuss the self-assessment report. Then, during the first few days, it met with all stakeholders, including representatives from civil society and the private sector, initially at a plenary session and then in working groups. The CRM afterwards met with institutions of the Republic of Mauritius: the speaker of Parliament, the chief justice, the head of the National Commission for Human Rights, the auditor general, the head of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), the entire NESC, and the JEC. The CRM also met with a total of 12 ministers and their close working partners. 33. During the second stage, the CRM visited Rodrigues. It met the Executive Council of Rodrigues, headed by the chief commissioner. A stakeholders’ forum was held, first in a plenary session, then in working groups, and then once more in a plenary session to present and validate the reports of the working groups. One of the memorable moments of this CRM was the interaction with a group of stakeholders from Rivière Banane. The people of Rivière Banane, who are mostly women who lived off fishing, were forbidden to fish in the lagoon and instead became farmers and livestock growers. 34. The fourth and final stage took the CRM to Port Louis, where it had the opportunity to interact for the second time with the minister of foreign affairs, regional integration and international trade, and his team. During this meeting, the review team presented the main provisional results of the consultations, highlighting the great achievements of Mauritius and the challenges identified in the review. The team 49