Mauritius, the Indian Ocean island nation known for its white-sand beaches and luxury resorts, is facing its worst riots since 1999 as public anger over water shortages and rising living costs spills onto the streets.
- Mauritius is experiencing its worst riots since 1999, fuelled by water shortages and the rising cost of living.
- Public outrage surged after police shot and injured Élodie Thomas during escalating street protests that have led to school closures and businesses shutting down.
- Known for its peaceful society, Mauritius now faces rare unrest, joining a wider wave of economic-driven demonstrations seen recently across Africa.
- The turmoil is especially notable given Mauritius's strong reputation for stability, peaceful elections, and a booming tourism industry supporting its high per-capita income.
Protests that began last week escalated after police shot and injured Élodie Thomas, a 27-year-old woman, on October 9. The incident intensified tensions in a country where large-scale unrest is rare.
Schools have closed, while the main business lobby group has urged companies to let employees work from home as demonstrations disrupt daily life.
The unrest comes amid a wave of protests across Africa over economic hardship, unemployment and power shortages. Countries including Morocco, Kenya and Madagascar have experienced similar demonstrations over the past two years, but the turmoil in Mauritius stands out given its reputation for stability.
Mauritius ranks as Africa’s most peaceful country and the 18th most peaceful globally, according to the 2026 Global Peace Index. Its longstanding position reflects relatively low crime rates, stable democratic governance and limited involvement in internal or external conflicts.
The archipelago, which relies heavily on tourism and financial services, is Africa’s second-richest country per capita after Seychelles, with tourism contributing 14% to 15% of its GDP. Mauritius welcomed a record 1.44 million tourists in 2025, up 3.9% from the previous year, while gross tourism earnings climbed 11.5% to $2.2 billion. The sector is expected to maintain its strong performance in 2026.
In May, it launched its highly anticipated $1 million Golden Visa programme to attract high-net-worth individuals from around the world. Since gaining independence from Britain in 1968, Mauritius has maintained a record of peaceful elections.
Cannabis rally
Street protests began on October 7 in the central region of the main island, also called Mauritius. Demonstrators blocked roads with broken furniture and mattresses as frustration mounted over water shortages and the cost of living.
The police shooting of Thomas further inflamed public anger. Indian surgeons flown in to treat her operated on Monday to remove a bullet, adding to concerns over the handling of the demonstrations.
The previous major wave of unrest in 1999 followed demands for cannabis decriminalisation, making the current turmoil a rare challenge to the island nation's reputation for peace and stability.