In brief
In Mauritius, a woman was shot by police at a roadblock during rising protests over water shortages and high living costs. The shooting sparked violent riots, with mobs burning tires, blocking roads and vandalising public property. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam imposed a night‑time curfew and pledged severe punishment for anti‑patriotic acts. The officer involved has been arrested and remanded. Though the curfew quelled much of the unrest, water shortages are expected to last until December, and the cabinet will assess further steps.
Police in Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew to quell the worst riots the Indian Ocean island has seen in decades.
The unrest began as peaceful protests over chronic water shortages and soaring living costs, which erupted into violence after a woman was shot and wounded by a police officer at a roadblock on Friday. The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, but the officer was arrested and remanded in custody.
Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam ordered the curfew on Tuesday, warning against those who were “acting against the interests of the country” and saying that “those who have carried out these actions will have to face the very heavy consequences warranted by their anti‑patriotic acts.”
Protesters burned tires and blocked roads as the unrest escalated over the weekend, vandalising police stations and other public infrastructure. The ensuing mayhem prompted the closure of schools and public transport, prompting foreign embassies to issue safety alerts for their nationals.
Despite the curfew, police reported several incidents overnight and a number of arrests. By Wednesday morning, however, traffic was flowing again and officials urged people to resume normal activities.
Analysts say the government’s rapid response – providing additional water to households – helped curb the worst of the unrest, though water supplies are expected to remain tight until the rainy season in December. The cabinet will meet Wednesday afternoon to reassess the situation and decide on next steps.
