Mauritius imposes curfew after police shooting leads to days of protests

Por Michelle Gumede — – World RSS Feed

Protesters clashed with police, blocked roads with burning tires and other debris, and damaged public buildings, according to local reports

Michelle Gumede Wednesday 14 October 2026 18:54 BST

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Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam ordered the curfew ( AP )

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Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew after a police shooting fueled rare civil unrest on the Indian Ocean island, better known as an idyllic holiday destination and one of Africa’s most stable democracies.

Police stated on Wednesday that the situation had been brought under control and the curfew lifted following days of demonstrations that escalated after an officer shot and injured a woman on Friday.

According to local reports, crowds clashed with officers, damaged public buildings, and blocked roadways using burning tyres and debris. Footage released by a Mauritian news organisation showed demonstrators aiming what appeared to be fireworks at law enforcement officers.

The paramilitary Special Mobile Force police unit was deployed in response.

The restriction obliged residents across the capital, Port Louis, and several other towns to remain indoors from 8.30 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam, who ordered the curfew, warned in a televised address Tuesday that protesters involved in violence and destruction would face “very heavy consequences.”

The curfew required everyone in the capital, Port Louis, and several other towns to remain indoors from 8:30 p.m. Tuesday until 6 a.m. Wednesday ( AP )

The protests began last week over water shortages and the cost of living but escalated after the shooting in Beau Bassin-Rose Hill, southwest of Port Louis.

Financial services and tourism underpin Mauritius’ economy. The island, known for its luxury beach resorts, last experienced similar unrest in 1999, when the death of a popular musician in police custody sparked days of rioting.

The wounded woman was taken to hospital. Police said they had arrested one officer, suspended three others and were investigating the shooting. The three were suspended for “failing to provide assistance to a person whose life was in danger,” according to a police statement.

The national public prosecutor’s office said the investigation should also cover Special Mobile Force officers present at the time of the shooting.

Police reported several arrests but gave no exact number. There were no immediate reports of injuries other than those suffered by the woman who was shot. Schools and public transport services were also closed during the protests.

Meanwhile, it emerged last month that multimillion-pound payments to Mauritius have been paused while the UK government re-evaluates its agreement to relinquish sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said that the accord transferring the Chagos Islands to Mauritius “can’t go ahead without American support”, following comments from US president Donald Trump branding the pact “terrible”.