Mauritius Tourism Minister Richard Duval's affiliation with the Nouveaux Démocrates (ND) party is under scrutiny. Duval was elected with the ND ticket as part of the Alliance du changement. He is the only minister from Khushal Lobine's party. However, a source from the ND Bureau National claims Duval is not an official member or office bearer of the party.
According to the source, Duval has not attended any ND meetings, assemblies, or gatherings for over a year. He was also absent from the party's 2025 year-end celebration. His last recorded attendance at an ND meeting was in April 2025 during the municipal election campaign. Furthermore, two municipal councillors, whose names were submitted by Duval for the ND ticket, have not participated in any party activities since their confirmation.
The ND party recently adopted a constitution and established a Bureau National that meets every two weeks. The constitution states that a member with less than 40% attendance at Bureau National meetings is automatically excluded from the party. This has led to speculation that Duval and the two councillors may face disciplinary action, potentially leading to their exclusion from the party.
A similar situation occurred in 2013 when Michaël Sik Yuen was excluded from the PMSD party. The PMSD Bureau Politique criticized Sik Yuen for dissociating from the party's philosophy through his actions and attitudes since the 2010 general elections. Sik Yuen initially sat as an independent minister but later joined the Parti Travailliste.
If Duval is auto-excluded or expelled from the ND party, he can still continue to serve as an independent minister within the Alliance du Changement. According to the Constitution, only the Prime Minister has the authority to revoke a minister's position.
In May 2025, Duval mentioned "bisbiz" (disagreements) between him and the ND party. When questioned about his relationship with Khushal Lobine, Duval replied "Nou koze lor telefonn" (we talk on the phone). He did not provide further clarification at the time. Attempts to contact Duval for a reaction were unsuccessful, as he is currently on an official trip and unavailable.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from Khushal Lobine, the leader of the Nouveaux Démocrates, were also unsuccessful. The situation surrounding Duval's membership in the ND party remains uncertain, with potential implications for his role as Tourism Minister and the party's internal dynamics.
Key points
- The uncertainty surrounding Richard Duval's membership in the Nouveaux Démocrates party may lead to disciplinary action and potentially affect his role as Tourism Minister.
- Duval's absence from ND party meetings and activities has raised questions about his affiliation with the party.
- The ND party's constitution may lead to Duval's automatic exclusion if his attendance and participation do not improve.
