Mauritian President Ameenah Gurib To Resign Amid Allegations Of Using Charity Money For Shopping

Amid ongoing allegations of using money from a charitable organisation on a shopping spree in Dubai, Mauritius’ President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim has decided to step down, reports Bloomberg.

A biodiversity scientist by profession, 58-year old Gurib is the first female president of the island nation. She will leave office after the country hosts it fiftieth Independence celebrations that are to be held on 12 March.

Gurib’s resignation comes amid cases of top ranking officials in Mauritius resigning over corruption and charges of improper behaviour. Last November, deputy prime minister Showkutally Soodhun resigned over inappropriate comments while attorney general Ravi Yerrigadoo vacated office over charges of money laundering.

Gurib is said to have received a credit card given to her by the Planet Earth Institute – a non-governmental organisation linked to an Angolan businessman. She has reportedly paid back the $21,444 that she spent using the card to purchase jewellry in Dubai in late 2016 and during other trips to India, Sweden, England and Italy, reported the Port Louis-based L’express.