Around 1,000 tonnes of heavy oil and diesel leaked from the vessel earlier this month, endangering coastal wildlife and livelihoods, and a protected wetlands area. While most of the remaining estimated 3,000 tonnes of fuel was salvaged, more began leaking out in recent days.
The short-to-medium term economic impacts of the disaster, coupled with the COVID-19 crisis, will dominate Jugnauth's first full term.
The disaster has overshadowed the World Bank's recent classification of Mauritius as a 'high-income' country, a key government ambition.
Recent opposition unity in response to the disaster may persist over the short term, but not until the next scheduled election in 2024.
Legal wrangles over compensation and damages could prove lengthy and tortuous, bringing little respite to badly affected communities.
