Key points
- The curfew ran from Oct. 12 to 18 and ended at 4:30 a.m. on Monday.
- Violence erupted after a police officer shot a woman in the neck on Saturday.
- At least 188 people were arrested, and the officer has been charged in court.
Mauritius has lifted a nighttime curfew imposed last week amid a rare wave of violent demonstrations, the government announced Monday.
The Prime Minister’s office said the “favourable evolution of the situation” allowed the curfew to end. “The curfew currently in effect will not be extended, effective today,” it said.
The last curfew ended at 4:30 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19. A tourism operator said roads are open, schools have reopened and daily life is back on track.
How the unrest unfolded
The protests began last week over water shortages and the rising cost of living. Violence exploded after a police officer shot and seriously wounded a woman in the neck on Saturday.
Authorities arrested at least 188 people on charges including looting, arson, damage to police stations and possession of explosives. The officer who shot the woman has been arrested and brought to court.
A rare disturbance
Mauritius is usually seen as a model of stability and prosperity in Africa, and the last major unrest was in 1999, when a renowned singer died in police custody.
Consequently, the British government updated its travel advice, noting the curfews covered most areas of the main island. It urged tourists to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings and to follow local authorities’ advice.
