Mauritius has experienced a concerning shift toward suppressing public expression and democratic engagement over recent years. The recent, abrupt shutdown of social media under the pretense of “national security” was an attempt to curb the fundamental freedoms that have long been central to Mauritian society. Such actions deeply concern those of us committed to democracy, justice, and the right to free expression.
The Progressive Alliance commends the courage of Mauritian citizens, opposition parties, the church, business community, and civil society, who united to challenge this overreach and successfully compelled the government to restore access to social media. This victory is a testament to the strength of democratic will in Mauritius.
We also recognize that this incident is not isolated; it is part of a pattern of democratic backsliding that demands urgent attention. In response, we reaffirm our solidarity with our sister party, the Mouvement Militant Mauricien (MMM), and their coalition, in their commitment to restoring a full democracy. We remain vigilant against any further attempts to undermine the democratic rights of Mauritians, including any declaration of a state of emergency that could delay the upcoming elections.
The Progressive Alliance stands ready to support all those working toward a fair and transparent electoral process. Mauritius is at a critical juncture; its citizens have demonstrated resilience, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that their voices are respected and that democracy prevails.
