My country is facing an unprecedented ecological disaster due to the ego of men

Mauritius is the jewel of the Indian Ocean, not just because it's a beautiful country but it is a very fragile ecosystem, comprising hundreds of endemic birds and marine species.  Our lagoons are also home to the world's oldest coral species, and most Mauritians cherish their natural environment, which is unlike any other in the world.  A carrier, Japanese-owned MV Wakashio ran aground near the south east of the island in late July and at the time it was widely covered in the local media, with journalists calling on authorities to deal with it.  The authorities continued denying it posed a problem, even when oil started leaking out into our erstwhile blue lagoon.  Our Environment Minister even called it fake news when it first broke out.

With the government sitting idle and begging for foreign help, Mauritians took matters into their own hands and started building sea booms out of oil-absorbent materials, including human hair, donate by thousands of women.  This call to action was sparked by an opposition member, who has had frequent run-ins with the ruling party.  So far, thousands of Mauritians have been to the coast to clean up the lagoons and build booms to contain the spillage.  The government doesn't like to be overshadowed, and like a spoiled brat, threw a temper tantrum and forbid people from cleaning up the coast.  The public ignored their call to do nothing and are still toiling away in the coast.

Mauritius' government comprises a Prime Minister, who won only 35% of the votes and whose father literally handed him the Prime Ministership.  Under his leadership, Mauritius has undergone a lot of judicial transformation, he has overhauled a lot of democratic rights, such as the freedom of expression, and has actually imprisoned women for speaking out against him.  Every week, we hear about children being raped and nothing being done to restore justice on the island.  Except for the government taking offence at every Facebook post and throwing their detractors in jail, Mauritians have to contend with a failing justice system that puts all of us in danger. 

I am not surprised they didn't take action and leave our marine life in such peril, and I want to make it clear to anyone that has read about this issue, that it could have been totally prevented, had the Mauritian government listened to their constituents rather than their ego.  It is a terrible moment for my island, the COVID-19 pandemic has gravely affected our tourism industry, as our borders are closed until next year, and now with this ecological disaster, we fear that the worst is yet to come.