GNV News, 16 October 2026

In Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean located in southeastern Africa, large-scale riots broke out in October 2026. This unrest has been described as the largest riots since 1999 (*).

The trigger for the riots was a protest on 5 October over water shortages, which coincided with demonstrations against the rising cost of living. However, on the 9th, a police officer shot and injured a woman participating in the protest, which caused the situation to escalate into violent unrest. Protesters blocked roads and set tires and other objects on fire, and there were also acts of vandalism targeting police stations and public facilities. On the 13th, the Mauritian government imposed a nighttime curfew, in effect until the morning of the 16th, as part of strengthened security measures. By the 14th, 94 people had been arrested, including 16 minors, and a further 26 arrests were made during nighttime crackdowns on the 15th. The government has stated that, depending on the case, it is considering prosecutions under anti-terrorism legislation.

Behind the protests lie water shortages affecting everyday life and rising prices. The impact of drought-induced depletion of reservoirs and soaring fuel costs linked to conflicts in the Middle East has been highlighted. The water level at the Mare aux Vacoas Reservoir, one of the country’s main reservoirs, remains at just 35.7%, and the annual inflation rate for September 2026 is said to have risen to 4.1% from 3.4% a year earlier. The government says that, at present, public order remains under control.

However, experts cited by the BBC see the possibility that water shortages will continue until around December, when the rainy season is expected to begin. If water supplies do not stabilize, residents’ frustrations may flare up again, and the recurrence of protest actions cannot be ruled out.

Mauritius has been regarded as a relatively stable democracy in Africa, with the second-highest per capita GDP after Seychelles. A recurrence or prolonged continuation of the current unrest could affect not only domestic stability but also the international image of key industries such as tourism.

* The 1999 riots broke out after a popular musician died while in police custody. Public anger toward the police spread and escalated into days of rioting.

Learn more about Mauritius → “Chagos Archipelago: A Territorial Dispute Without the Parties Concerned”

Mauritius’s largest reservoir, Mare aux Vacoas (Photo: Historic Mauritius / Flickr [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0])