Réponse du Ministre des Affaires Étrangères à deux questions parlementaires.

B/289 The Honourable Third Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or
(Mr Etwareea)

To ask the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade –

Whether, in regard to the Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives of Mauritius posted at Mauritius Embassies abroad other the period 2015 to 2024, he will give a list thereof, indicating in each case the (a) date of posting and of accreditation (b) qualifications thereof (c) basic salary drawn, including the detailed allowances paid thereto and (d) other amount, if any, refunded thereto as medical expenses?

REPLY

Madam Speaker,

Section (87) of the Constitution of Mauritius provides for appointment of principal Representatives of Mauritius abroad. As such the power to appoint persons to hold offices of Ambassador, High Commissioner or other principal representative of Mauritius in any other country or accredited to any international organization is vested in the President acting in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minister.

I am tabling the list of
(i) Ambassadors/High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives, their date of posting, qualifications and basic salary;
(ii) dates of accreditation; and
(iii) allowances

Madam Speaker,
With regard to part (d) of the question, allow me to inform the House that all medical expenses are refunded to Ambassadors in line with provisions made in the PRB report and their contract of employment which are as follows:
90% of amount of medical expenses be refunded for themselves, spouse and dependent children aged up to 20 years subject to:
(i) the production of duly signed and certified copies of medicalcertificates/prescription, invoices and receipts;
(ii) the claim being submitted on prescribed form, as determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, duly signed by the officer making the claim and upon the recommendation of the Head of Mission; and
(iii) medical bills falling within the Protocol and Guidelines approved by the Government.

In case of hospitalisation for surgical intervention, medical expenses incurred in respect thereof are refunded, in toto, subject to the conditions set out in the above provision to an officer, his/her spouse, dependent children aged up to 20 years and accompanying dependent of unmarried career diplomats, upon their posting to overseas mission.

There is also an exclusion list of treatments for which no refund is entertained such as cosmetic treatment and contact lenses.

I am therefore tabling the list of medical expenses refunded to Ambassadors / High Commissioners and Permanent Representatives.

B/342 The Honourable Third Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or
(Mr Etwareea)

To ask the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade –

Whether, in regard to the official overseas missions undertaken by Ambassadors appointed since 2015 to 2024, he will give a list thereof, indicating in each case the (a) trips effected from

(i) Mauritius to other countries (ii) their countries of posting to Mauritius or to other countries and (b) amount of funds disbursed by Government in terms of airfares, per diem, entertainment allowance and chauffeur facilities and (c) objectives and outcomes thereof?

REPLY

Madam Speaker,

As per their roles and responsibilities, Ambassadors actively manage and maintain diplomatic relations between home country and host countries as well as accredited countries. They also engage in political and economic negotiations and safeguard the home country’s interest in the host country.
To be able to fulfil these obligations Ambassadors are called upon to travel to various countries for the following reasons:
1. Presentations of credentials to accredited countries and accredited international organisations;
2. Represent the President and the Prime Minister in Summits and High-Level meetings;
3. Represent Ministers in conferences, meetings and negotiations; and
4. Attending National Days and having bilateral meetings with foreign dignitaries.

All overseas missions undertaken by Ambassadors need to have been approved by the Ministry.

During their overseas missions, per diem is paid to Ambassadors/High Commissioners to cover the costs of accommodation, meals, internal transportation and other related expenses. The rate payable, which is approved by the Ministry of Finance, depends on the country which they are travelling to.

Ambassadors based abroad are sometimes also required to travel to Mauritius for consultations in specific cases. For example, the presence of an Ambassador may be required during high level visits of foreign Presidents/Prime Ministers of countries to which the Ambassador is accredited to. Ambassadors are therefore paid a per diem of Rs 7340 per day for a maximum of 15 days, to cover costs of accommodation and meals.

Madam Speaker,

With your permission, I am tabling two lists, first one pertaining to the period 2015 to 2019 and a second one for the records of 2020 to 2024.

However, it has to be highlighted that some politically appointed Ambassadors as opposed to Career Ambassadors, travelled to Mauritius in October 2024 just before the Elections, on public funds under the guise of urgent consultations and were seen to be involved in election campaign.

Further, the last Director of Audit Report has made mention of a number of adverse findings on few politically appointed Ambassadors who have made abuse of their priviledges, for example, converting their annual and sick leaves into official duties whilst in Mauritius thus benefitting from public funds and some extending their stay in Mauritius on disguised official missions whilst benefitting from chauffeur driven cars at the expense of Government.

The findings of the Director of Audit Report are being looked into by the Internal Audit Committee at the level of my Ministry to take remedial actions.