Prithvirajsing Roopun

The seventh president of Mauritius, Prithvirajsing Roopun, assumed office on 2 December 2019 following his nomination by the National Assembly. A qualified attorney and former educator, he served in several cabinet-level positions before his tenure as head of state concluded in 2024, representing a significant period in the island nation's political landscape.

Early Career and Education

Born in 1959 in Quatre Bornes, Roopun attended secondary school at New Eton College in Rose Hill. He initially worked as a mathematics teacher at Eden College before transitioning into the legal profession. He gained admission to practice as an attorney in 1986 and later earned a master’s degree in international business law from the University of Central Lancashire. His legal background was complemented by his role as a board of examiner member for the Council of Legal Education starting in 1989, as well as lecturing at the University of Mauritius.

Legislative and Ministerial Roles

Roopun entered the political arena in 1983 and first stood as a candidate in 1995. He secured a seat in the Legislative Assembly in the 2000 general election for constituency No. 14, serving as deputy chief government whip until 2004. He later held the position of minister of local government and solid waste management in 2005. Between 2010 and 2012, he served as deputy speaker of the National Assembly after his election in constituency No. 9. His international experience included representing Mauritius in the Pan African Parliament from 2010 to 2014, where he held the role of deputy chair for the committee covering transport, industry, and technology.

Executive Governance and Cultural Leadership

From 2014 to 2017, Roopun acted as the minister of social integration and economic empowerment, focusing on poverty reduction strategies and the development of a Marshall Plan Against Poverty. Subsequently, he transitioned to the ministry of arts and culture, serving from 2017 to 2019. During this time, he presided over the UNESCO 13th Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which notably saw the inscription of Jamaican reggae music onto the representative list.

Presidency and Public Debates

Upon his nomination and inauguration as president in 2019, he was awarded the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. His presidency saw internal scrutiny, including public discourse surrounding a 2020 motorcycle accident involving a security escort, which raised questions regarding protocol-related risks. Additionally, international media reported on a 2020 baggage incident at an Indian airport during a private visit, while domestic reports have highlighted legal controversies involving his brother, Soudesh Roopun, regarding land transactions.

Fast facts

• Born: 1959, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius
• President of Mauritius: 2019–2024
• Education: University of Central Lancashire
• Profession: Attorney and former teacher
• Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage: 2016–2019
• Languages: English, French
• Award: Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (2019)
• Award: Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (2024)

Questions readers ask

What major ministerial portfolio did Roopun hold regarding social welfare?

He served as the minister of social integration and economic empowerment from 2014 to 2017, where he worked on poverty eradication and subsistence allowance schemes.

Did Roopun serve as a president before his 2019 appointment?

No, his term as the seventh president of Mauritius began on 2 December 2019 and concluded in 2024.

Achievements

• Minister of Social Integration, Social Security and National Solidarity (2014–2017)
• Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage (2016–2017)
• Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage (2017–2019)
• President of Mauritius (2019–2024)
• Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean — 2019
• Educated at University of Lancashire