Port Louis MP Pushes for Street Vendor Deal After Rue Desforges Police Crackdown

A police operation on Rue Desforges, one of Port Louis's busiest commercial streets, has sparked a political response from Labour Member of Parliament Ehsan Juman, who is calling on authorities to find a balanced solution that protects street vendors without disrupting public order.

The operation took place on Wednesday 11 November. Despite being abroad at the time, Juman said he followed developments closely and quickly reached out to both municipal and police officials by phone.

In a Facebook post on 12 November, Juman confirmed he had spoken directly with the Mayor of Port Louis and the Assistant Commissioner of Police for Port Louis North. His goal, he said, was to prevent vendors who rely on street trading as their main source of income from being unfairly penalised.

His message, written partly in Mauritian Creole, made clear that he wants vendors who work year-round to be allowed to continue, but under conditions of order and discipline. The post drew attention from residents and workers in the area who have been following the situation.

Rue Desforges runs through the heart of Port Louis, the capital and economic hub of Mauritius. The street is known for its concentration of informal traders selling everything from street food to clothing and household goods. These vendors often operate in a legal grey area: tolerated at some times, targeted at others, particularly when authorities move to clear pavements and ease pedestrian or vehicle flow.

The tensions here reflect a broader challenge faced by many cities in Mauritius, where informal street trading provides livelihoods for a significant number of people, yet can create congestion and safety concerns in densely used urban corridors.

Juman represents a constituency in the Port Louis area and has positioned himself as a voice for working-class residents and small traders. His intervention highlights how local political figures often step in as intermediaries between informal workers and state institutions such as the Port Louis City Council and the Mauritius Police Force.

What this means: For street vendors on Rue Desforges, the outcome of these discussions could determine whether they are allowed to resume trading and under what conditions. If a formal arrangement is reached between the municipality and police, it could set a precedent for how Port Louis handles informal trade more broadly. For residents and commuters who use the street daily, any agreement would need to ensure the pavement and road remain accessible and safe.

No formal decision had been announced by the time of publication.

Source: ION News