Pravind Jugnauth Breaks Silence: 'Violence Is Never the Answer'

Former Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth has issued a public statement in response to the wave of civil unrest that has gripped parts of Mauritius in recent days, declaring that violence is never an acceptable solution to the country's problems.

Jugnauth, who led Mauritius as Prime Minister under the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) until the party's defeat in the November 2024 general election, made the remarks as the island nation grappled with street disturbances, arrests, and a government-imposed curfew.

"La violence n'est jamais une solution" — "Violence is never a solution" — was the core message Jugnauth delivered, according to Le Défi Media, one of Mauritius's leading French-language news groups.

The statement puts Jugnauth's voice alongside a growing chorus of public figures urging calm. Bishop Durhône of the Roman Catholic Diocese has made similar appeals, and civic organisations including the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) have called for unity and a return to normal life.

The unrest, which has seen petrol stations ransacked, roads blocked, and dozens of people arrested — including minors — appears to have been concentrated in several areas across the island. Police have significantly increased their presence, and the government moved swiftly to impose a curfew, citing signs of coordinated disruption.

Activist Bruneau Laurette, a prominent civil society figure, has separately claimed that some participants in the unrest were paid to take part, allegations that have added further controversy to an already tense situation.

Jugnauth's intervention carries particular weight given that his MSM-led government was in power for much of the period that critics say gave rise to the grievances now fuelling public anger. His call for non-violence, however brief, signals that even opposition figures are wary of the situation escalating further.

Business groups have also added their voices, with Business Mauritius urging employees and employers alike to return to normal operations as quickly as possible, warning of economic consequences if the disruption continues.

What this means: With leaders across the political and civic spectrum now publicly distancing themselves from violence, there appears to be broad consensus that the unrest must be de-escalated. However, the underlying social and economic tensions that triggered the protests have not been formally addressed by the current government, and it remains to be seen whether calm will hold in the days ahead.

Source: Le Défi Media