Mauritius lifts curfew after violent protests over costs and water shortages
Mauritius has lifted a nighttime curfew imposed after a week of violent protests linked to rising living costs and water shortages. The government said the situation had improved enough to end the restrictions, which had covered most areas of the main island. Roads have reopened and schools have resumed classes, according to official and tourism-sector statements.
Sponsored
The office of Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said the curfew would not be extended, effective on Monday. The last curfew ended at 4:30am on 19 October, after temporary evening and overnight restrictions had been in place from 12 October to 18 October. Authorities said the decision followed a "favourable evolution of the situation", although they did not give further detail on the security assessment.
The unrest escalated after police shot and seriously wounded a woman in the neck during a rally on Saturday. Authorities said the officer involved has been arrested and brought to court. At least 188 people were arrested in the days that followed on charges including looting, arson, damage to police stations and possession of explosives.
The lifting of the curfew marks a return to normality in a country that is usually seen as one of Africa's more stable and prosperous states. The protests are notable because large-scale unrest is uncommon in Mauritius, and the last major episode cited by authorities was in 1999. The current unrest has also had an international impact, prompting a British travel advisory that urged visitors to avoid demonstrations and large public gatherings.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
The protests began over water shortages and the rising cost of living, issues that have added pressure on households. The violence that followed broadened the response from crowd control to wider public-order measures, including curfews and arrests. The government's decision to end the curfew suggests officials believe the immediate risk has eased, even as the underlying grievances remain unresolved.
What remains unclear is whether the lifting of the curfew will be followed by further arrests, prosecutions or new political measures in response to the unrest. It is also not yet clear how long it will take for confidence to fully recover among residents and visitors. The key question now is whether the authorities can prevent renewed violence while addressing the complaints that brought people onto the streets.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
