🇲🇺MauritiusEast Africa
Second local Mpox transmission case confirmed in Mauritius
via Le Mauricien1 min read
A second case of local Mpox transmission has been confirmed in Mauritius. The patient is a 35-year-old Malagasy woman who has resided in Mauritius for two years and lives in Telfair, Moka. She was identified through contact tracing efforts initiated after a Swiss national, also living in Mauritius, was confirmed as the first local transmission case. The woman was admitted to an isolation room at Souillac Hospital after samples sent to the Candos laboratory confirmed she carries the virus. Dr. Fazil Khodabocus, interim director of Health Services, stated that contact tracing for this second case has already begun to identify any further linked cases. Both patients are currently isolated and receiving treatment at Souillac Hospital.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Le Mauricien.
Must ReadThe Financial Crimes Commission FCC conducted a targeted search at the home of businessman Hans Manthir Ballah, 46, in Ébène, as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering and financial offenses. Ballah is the nephew of former Secretary to Cabinet Nayen Kumar Ballah and related to the Jugnauth family. During the search, assisted by the Mauritian Police Intervention Group GIPM and the Dog Unit, FCC officers discovered and seized Rs 700,000 in cash, now considered potentially linked to suspicious transactions. A BMW belonging to Ballah was also seized. Additionally, rolling papers and approximately 5g of cannabis were found. Following the operation, Hans Manthir Ballah was taken to FCC headquarters for questioning Under Warning. Investigators suspect his direct involvement in financial offenses, including the purchase of the vehicle with questionable funds, and a provisional charge is likely. Investigators are tracing the origin of the seized funds and examining potential money laundering schemes. Ballah was previously arrested in April 2017 at SSR International Airport with MDMA and charged with unlawful possession under the Dangerous Drugs Act. He pleaded not guilty, claiming he bought the pills in Dubai as a sexual stimulant, unaware they were drugs. The charge was dropped in February 2023. The FCC continues its money laundering investigation, while the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit is handling the cannabis seizure aspect.
Must ReadThe Chagos Refugees Group delegation, led by Olivier Bancoult, is on a mission in the United Kingdom, reporting positive diplomatic and parliamentary meetings in London. Bancoult highlighted significant progress with British political officials while condemning what he described as "intimidation attempts" orchestrated by an opposition group. The delegation has been actively engaging in meetings across the British capital to advocate for the interests of the Chagossians concerning the Chagos Deal, signed on May 22, 2025. Bancoult noted encouraging results in the initial days, including "deep and cross-party support" from British parliamentarians and a sense of solidarity for the Chagossian cause. A key event was an audience granted to Olivier Bancoult by the Apostolic Nuncio, the Pope's representative in the UK, organized with support from the Mauritian High Commission in London, which was described as a "major spiritual and diplomatic step." However, the mission also encountered an incident at the British Parliament. The Chagos Refugees Group learned of an opposition group gathered outside Parliament, criticizing Olivier Bancoult. To ensure the safety of elderly members, the delegation opted for an alternative entrance. The delegation claims the opposition group, allegedly facilitated by Adam Holloway, a former British Conservative MP and ex-military officer, entered the parliamentary premises. Holloway is accused of being a primary political supporter of the opposition. The
The London-based collective Kokoroko is set to perform in Mauritius on Saturday, following a regional tour that included Southern Africa and Reunion. Formed in London in 2014 by trumpeter Sheila Maurice-Grey and percussionist Onome Edgeworth, Kokoroko has become a prominent figure in the contemporary Afro-jazz scene. The group aims to reconnect African diasporas with their musical roots, blending jazz, Afrobeat, and highlife into a warm and modern sound. The British Council is supporting the Institut français de Maurice in bringing Kokoroko to Mauritius on June 6. This initiative strengthens multilateral cultural cooperation between the UK, France, and Mauritius, promoting dialogue and mutual understanding. Naweid Fakeermahamood, Programme Manager for Cultural Engagement at the British Council, stated that Kokoroko's music reflects the openness and creativity they wish to promote. The project is also supported by Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels and Phoenix Bev, who aim to contribute to Mauritius's cultural development and enhance its appeal as a cultural destination. This collaboration between public institutions, international cultural actors, and private partners represents a new approach to artistic events, fostering an ecosystem of collaborations. The June 6 concert is the culmination of a regional tour and a starting point for new dynamics, forging connections between artists, audiences, and cultural visions. Anaïs Robert, Cultural Project Manager, highlighted that this pro
Must ReadMauritius will host a significant diplomatic and economic event next Wednesday, where the European Union and four Eastern and Southern African states—Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles—will officially conclude negotiations to deepen their Economic Partnership Agreement EPA. This follows over six years of discussions. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations, and Transparency, will visit Mauritius on June 10 to participate in the closing ceremony alongside trade ministers from the African nations. Representatives from the European Commission, the EU Delegation to Madagascar and Comoros, and government authorities will also attend, with Mauritius represented by Minister of Foreign Affairs Ritish Ramful. The conclusion of these talks marks the culmination of a process launched in October 2019, known as the Deepening Process, aimed at enhancing the existing EPA. The interim EPA, provisionally applied since May 2012, already links the EU with Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, and Zimbabwe, with Comoros joining in 2019. The new, expanded agreement will cover thirteen strategic areas, including trade in services, investments, rules of origin, trade facilitation, customs cooperation, agriculture, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, intellectual property rights, competition policy, sustainable development, transparency in public procurement, and dispute resolution mechanisms.