Port Louis: Tainted by a personal expenses-related scandal, Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, who was the first and only female head of a state in Africa, resigned from office on Saturday.
According to media reports, the development took effect after the Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth accused the president of not upholding a promise to quit, as she was faced by multiple charges, including credit-card misuse and other misconducts.
Fakim had earlier denied allegations and was prepared to go to court to defend herself. She even took to Twitter to swat away rumours of her stepping down from office.
“It is being reported that I am resigning.. I am still in post..,” she tweeted.
It is being reported that I am resigning.. I am still in post..
— Ameenah Gurib-Fakim (@aguribfakim) March 9, 2018
Fakim, a famed biodiversity scientist, was accused of using a credit card, given to her by an NGO, Planet Earth Institute. She reportedly paid US$ 27,000 for her personal expenses, which was reimbursed to the charity soon after.
Interestingly, the credit card she used was ‘identical’ to another card she already had. (ANI)