MMM Turns 57: Reza Uteem Calls on Defectors to Come Back

The Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), one of Mauritius's oldest and most historically significant political parties, marked its 57th anniversary this week — and the occasion was used not just for celebration, but for a public appeal to reunite its scattered ranks. Reza Uteem, a prominent MMM member of parliament, used the anniversary gathering to directly address former militants who have left the party over the years. His message, delivered in Mauritian Creole, was simple and emotional: *"Revin lakaz mama"* — which translates as "Come back home, mother" or, more idiomatically, "Come home where you belong." The appeal reflects the ongoing challenge facing the MMM, which was founded in 1969 by Paul Bérenger and others as a radical, cross-ethnic working-class movement. At its peak, the party was a dominant force in Mauritian politics, but decades of coalition shifts, internal splits, and changing voter allegiances have seen many long-time members drift away to rival parties or political movements. **A Party Seeking to Rebuild** The MMM has faced a difficult period in recent years. After a string of electoral setbacks — including its performance in the 2024 general elections — the party is in a phase of reflection and reconstruction. Anniversary events like this one serve a dual purpose: reaffirming the loyalty of existing members and sending a signal to those who left that the door remains open. Uteem's call is aimed at militants — the grassroots activists and loyal members who form the backbone of any Mauritian political party — many of whom departed during periods of internal disagreement or when the MMM entered (or exited) coalition arrangements with other parties such as the Labour Party or the Militant Socialiste Mouvance (MSM). **What This Means** For Mauritian politics, the MMM's ability to reconstitute its base matters. The party still holds seats in the National Assembly and maintains a presence across constituencies, but its influence has waned compared to its 1970s and 1980s heyday, when it swept elections and shaped the country's political identity. A renewed MMM — with returning veterans and energised local networks — could shift the balance of opposition politics in Mauritius, particularly as the current government navigates economic pressures and public scrutiny. Whether Uteem's heartfelt appeal will translate into real political reunification remains to be seen. But the symbolism of the moment — a senior MP, at an anniversary gathering, asking former comrades to simply come back — captures the sentimental and strategic stakes involved. Source: Le Defi Media