The protests continue
And the government's response is shocking
Hello and welcome to this issue of our newsletter. Every week, Ariel and Khalil, writers based in Mauritius, investigate the impact the oil spill is having on the country and its people, politics and nature.
On Saturday, September 12, Mauritians gathered in Mahébourg to protest once more. An estimated 50,000 people walked the length of the town, playing musical instruments and expressing their grief and anger.
Photo: Navneesh Ramessur. It says ‘we want transparency’.Mahébourg’s at the heart of the Wakashio disaster. The region has been the worst hit by the spill: many fishermen and boatmen who live there are out of work, and there are great safety concerns for the town’s inhabitants, after they reported feeling ill from the fumes and sludge.
The town’s also been the heart of resistance and protest. Rezistans ek Alternativ, a political party and activist group, set up a ‘people’s factory’ there two months ago and the ‘mobilisation zone’ is still going strong. People gather there to chat, make art, and discuss about ways in which they’ll salvage their livelihoods.
In this issue
Mahébourg residents face debt and closure
The Mauritian government’s busy making memes
The captain of the Sir Gaëtan tugboat is still missing
The latest
⚫ Residents of Mahébourg are struggling …
Mahébourg runs largely on tourism. Some of the country’s most famed restaurants are found here, and Pointe d’Esny nearby has, arguably, the most beautiful beach in the whole country. The Covid-19 pandemic struck the region hard. Then came the Wakashio.
Fishing in the region is banned. Restaurants have closed for months. And even though small businesses and citizens have appealed to the government for help, they’ve received little to no response from elected officials in the district.
More: A family-owned restaurant in Mahébourg faces crushing debt (in French)
⚫ … meanwhile, the government’s making memes
The Mauritian prime minister, Pravind Jugnauth, did say that the protests were a sign that ‘democracy is alive and working’ – but a quick look at his party’s Facebook page will show that they’re visibly upset. They also seem to think it’s okay to attack Bruneau Laurette, the social activist and marine security expert who’s played a large part in organising the protests, in a series of pathetic memes, some of which appear to have been taken down.
There are also reports that social media accounts of activist groups and journalists were hacked the night before the protest in Mahébourg.
More: Forbes covers the hacking attempts here.
⚫ The Captain of the Sir Gaëtan tugboat is still missing
ICYMI: on the night of August 31, a tugboat named Sir Gaëtan was charged with towing a barge from what remains of the grounded Wakashio vessel. The sea was rough and apparently the tugboat collided with barge, leaving it badly damaged. The Sir Gaetan sank, killing three of its crew members. Its captain is still missing.
Sir Gaëtan was carrying an estimated 25 tonnes of fuel oil, six tonnes of which still need to be pumped out. An investigation into the tragedy is currently underway.
More: An interview with Captain Bheenick’s wife (in French).
That’s all from me. I’m hoping that the Captain is still alive, on an islet maybe – or at the very least, that his body is found, so the family can have some closure. – Ariel
Praving Jugnauh has done everything in his power to crush democracy, so it's hypocritical of him to pretend it is his/ his government's doing that keeps democracy flourishing.