Bérenger Slams Riots Response, Drug Lords and Intel Chief Hire
MMM leader Paul Bérenger has criticised the government's handling of the Mauritius riots, its links to drug barons, and a controversial intelligence appointment.
Paul Bérenger, leader of the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), one of Mauritius's main opposition parties, has launched a wide-ranging attack on the current government, targeting three issues he says expose serious failures in governance: the response to recent civil unrest, alleged ties between authorities and drug traffickers, and the recruitment of a new head of intelligence services.
Bérenger's remarks come in the aftermath of the riots that broke out in the Barkly area of Port Louis and spread to other parts of the island, causing significant damage to businesses and public property. Business Mauritius has estimated the economic cost of the unrest at up to Rs 470 million. The MMM leader questioned how the government managed the crisis and whether the right lessons are being drawn from it.
On the drug issue, Bérenger used the term "barons de la drogue" (drug lords) to allege that powerful figures involved in the narcotics trade continue to operate with apparent impunity. Mauritius has faced a long-running battle with drug trafficking, particularly the flow of synthetic drugs and heroin through the island. Opposition voices have repeatedly accused successive governments of failing to dismantle the networks at the top of the supply chain, focusing instead on street-level arrests.
The third line of criticism concerns the recruitment of a senior figure to lead the country's intelligence services. Bérenger raised concerns about the process, the criteria used, and the suitability of the appointment, though the original report does not detail the specific candidate or agency involved. Intelligence oversight in Mauritius is a sensitive area, with limited public scrutiny of how such appointments are made.
Bérenger is a veteran of Mauritian politics, having served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2005, and remains one of the most prominent critical voices in the current political landscape. His party, the MMM, sits in opposition following the November 2024 general election which brought Navin Ramgoolam and the Labour-led alliance to power.
What this means: These criticisms reflect growing opposition pressure on the Ramgoolam government as it navigates its early months in office. The riots, the drug trade and intelligence governance are all politically charged subjects that are likely to feature heavily in parliamentary debates in the coming weeks. For ordinary Mauritians, the questions Bérenger is raising touch on public safety, institutional trust and whether those in power are being held to account.
Source: Le Defi Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Paul Bérenger and what party does he lead in Mauritius?−
Paul Bérenger is the leader of the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), one of Mauritius's oldest political parties. He previously served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2005 and remains a leading opposition figure following the November 2024 general election.
What were the Barkly riots in Mauritius and how much did they cost?−
The Barkly riots were a wave of civil unrest that began in the Barkly area of Port Louis and spread across parts of Mauritius, resulting in looting and damage to businesses. Business Mauritius estimated the economic cost at up to Rs 470 million.
What is the MMM's position on drug trafficking in Mauritius?−
The MMM and its leader Paul Bérenger have accused the government of failing to prosecute high-level drug traffickers, arguing that enforcement focuses on street-level dealers while so-called drug lords continue to operate with impunity in Mauritius.
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