What's happened
The Mauritius government has lifted its temporary ban on social media, initially imposed to curb the spread of leaked recordings ahead of the November 10 elections. The ban faced backlash from civil society and was rescinded just a day later, highlighting tensions between national security and freedom of expression.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to All Africa, the Mauritius government faced significant backlash from various sectors, leading to the swift rescindment of the social media ban. Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth acknowledged the inquiry into the leaked recordings, which he claimed were manipulated, while others verified their authenticity. Bloomberg reported that the ban was initially justified as a measure to protect national security, but the rapid response to public dissent suggests a recognition of the importance of free expression in a democratic society. The Independent highlighted the unprecedented nature of the ban and its implications for media freedom, emphasizing the need for transparency in the government's actions.
How we got here
The ban was enacted on November 1, 2024, by the Mauritius communications authority, citing national security concerns following the leak of sensitive audio recordings involving politicians and police. The recordings raised serious allegations, prompting a judicial investigation.
More on these topics
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Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometres off the south-east coast of the African continent. It includes the eponymous main island of Mauritius and Rodrigues, Agaléga and St. Brandon.
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Pravind Kumar Jugnauth is a Mauritian politician who is the Prime Minister of Mauritius. He has been the leader of the Militant Socialist Movement party since April 2003.