Mauritius: Nationwide protests over oil spill to be held August 29

Event

Activists plan to march across Mauritius on Saturday, August 29, to demonstrate against the government's handling of a recent oil spill off the island nation's coastline. The main march will begin at 12:00 (local time) and will converge in the city centre of the capital Port Louis at around 13:00. Solidarity protests are reportedly being held outside Mauritian embassies around the world on Saturday.

A heightened security presence and localized disruption to transport are expected in the vicinity of the demonstrations.

Context

A Japanese vessel ran aground on a coral reef just offshore of the Pointe d'Esny area on July 25 and leaked around 1,000 tons of oil into the ocean in around ten days before splitting in two. Over the past three days 38 dead dolphins have washed up on the Mauritius shoreline, although initial autopsy results on two of the deceased mammals have shown no traces of oil.

Advice

Individuals in Mauritius are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.