Police in Mauritius imposed an overnight curfew on Tuesday in an effort to quell the worst riots the island has seen in decades. The unrest erupted after a woman was shot and wounded by police at a roadblock, an incident that escalated peaceful protests over water shortages and the high cost of living into violent clashes.

Background to the protests

Demonstrations began a week earlier, driven by a shortage of water and rising living expenses. The government initially responded by increasing water supplies to households, according to Zoë McCathie, an analyst at Signal Risk. However, the situation deteriorated when police fired on a protester at a roadblock, leading to the woman's injury and the subsequent arrest of the officer involved.

Escalation and government response

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam addressed the nation, ordering a curfew and warning that those "acting against the interests of the country" would face "very heavy consequences warranted by their anti‑patriotic acts." In the days that followed, protesters burned tyres, blocked roads, and vandalised police stations and other public infrastructure. The unrest prompted the closure of schools and public transport, and foreign embassies issued alerts urging their nationals to exercise caution.

Current situation

Despite the curfew, police reported several incidents overnight and a number of arrests. By Wednesday morning, traffic was reportedly moving again across the island, and authorities encouraged residents to resume normal activities. The cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday afternoon to reassess the situation and determine further steps.

Expert perspective

Zoë McCathie told the BBC's Newsday programme that protests of this scale have not been seen since around 1999, describing the situation as "unusual for the country's security situation." She noted that while the government had managed to "curtail the worst of the unrest," the possibility of renewed protests remained, especially as water shortages are expected to persist until the rainy season in December.

Uncertainty

Details surrounding the shooting remain unclear, and the long‑term trajectory of the protests is uncertain. While the curfew and police actions have temporarily reduced violence, the underlying issues of water scarcity and economic pressure could reignite unrest if not addressed.

Key facts

As Mauritius navigates this volatile period, the balance between restoring order and addressing the root causes of public discontent will be critical to preventing further escalation.