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Mauritius has imposed a curfew in Port Louis and other areas after the police shooting of a 27-year-old woman triggered overnight unrest. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced the measures as schools closed and protests continued.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Mauritius has announced a curfew in parts of the country following public unrest triggered by the shooting of a woman by a police officer. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam stated that the curfew would take effect from 8:30pm local time (16:30 GMT) and last until 6am (02:00 GMT). The restrictions apply to the capital, Port Louis, and major population centres on the island, where public unrest is uncommon.
The unrest followed the shooting of 27-year-old Elodie Thomas. Local media reported that a police sergeant was charged in connection with the incident, though details regarding the cause were not provided. Thomas was wounded in the south of the capital while travelling home from work in a van. The Health Ministry confirmed that Thomas underwent successful surgery to remove a bullet.
According to Reuters, Mauritian police stated that an investigation into the incident is currently underway. Ramgoolam’s cabinet is reportedly set to meet on Wednesday to assess the situation.
Protestors burned tyres and blocked roads in response to the shooting, leading to police deployments. The prime minister’s office said the situation had returned to normal and that the public sector would operate as usual following the overnight unrest. However, some schools were closed on Tuesday due to the turmoil, according to the Education Ministry.
Business Insider Africa reported that protests began on October 7 in the central region of the main island, driven by frustration over water shortages and the cost of living. The outlet noted that the police shooting of Thomas further inflamed public anger. The report described the current events as the worst riots since 1999, a year marked by unrest following demands for cannabis decriminalisation.
Mauritius is known for its stability and peaceful elections. Business Insider Africa cited the 2026 Global Peace Index, which ranks Mauritius as Africa’s most peaceful country and the 18th most peaceful globally. The country relies heavily on tourism, which contributed 14% to 15% of its GDP. In 2025, Mauritius welcomed a record 1.44 million tourists, and gross tourism earnings climbed 11.5% to $2.2 billion.
The imposition of a curfew in Mauritius marks a significant disruption in a nation historically recognized for its political stability and low crime rates. While the immediate cause of the unrest is the police shooting of Elodie Thomas, underlying tensions regarding water shortages and the cost of living have contributed to the escalation. The situation highlights the fragility of social order even in countries with strong democratic records, particularly when economic pressures intersect with incidents of police violence.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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