2024 Mayotte crisis
In early 2024, a political and economic crisis broke out in the French territory of Mayotte.
Background[edit]
Mayotte is the poorest department in France.[1] Despite this, Mayotte is wealthy compared to Madagascar and Comoros, and economic migrants have come to Mayotte in search for work.[2] In 2018, illegal immigrants were rounded up by police which led to unrest.[3] In 2021, 54 Members of Parliament warned of "impending social chaos" due to severe poverty and illegal immigration.[4] In early 2023, slums were razed.[1] Emergency vehicles announced they would not drive at night in December 2023.[5] Droughts led to water shortages and protests were held.[6] Mayotte has been suffering from underinvestment.[7]
Operation Wuambushu was launched by the French government.[8] This was to combat illegal migration in the Indian Ocean.[9]
Events[edit]
The President of the National Assembly, Yaël Braun-Pivet, visited Mayotte in January 2024.[10] Police operations were conducted.[11] A fortnight of protests broke out.[12] Roads were blocked disrupting the economy and causing food shortages.[13] Violence and curfews were reported.[14]
The Minister of the Interior and Overseas, Gérald Darmanin, visited the island and announced that the automatic right to French citizenship by virtue of birth on Mayotte is to be restricted; such a measure is widely supported by the population of Mayotte in order to discourage illegal immigration.[15]
In April 2024, Marine Le Pen visited Mayotte.[16]
On April 16, 2024, Overseas Minister Marie Guevenoux announced the start of an Operation “Wuambushu 2” , with the objective once again of “fighting unsanitary housing, illegal immigration and finding gang leaders ", this time with a goal of arresting "60 gang leaders who were targeted" and destroying "1,300 bangas, twice as many as last year". [17]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b Jesuthasan, Meerie (2023-05-31). "'Insulted, humiliated, hunted': plight of migrants as slums razed in French territory of Mayotte". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "France's plan to crack down on Indian Ocean migration". BBC News. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Mayotte unrest: French island residents round up 'foreigners'". BBC News. 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "MPs warn of impending social chaos in French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte". RFI. 2021-04-01. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Mayotte: Les vèhicules de secours ne rouleront plus la nuit, après l'agression d'un èquipage". C News. 2023-12-19.
- ^ "France's poorest island is parched because of drought and underinvestment". AP News. 2023-11-12. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Gregoire Merot (2023-11-13). "France's poorest island is parched because of drought and underinvestment". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Anti-migration operation on French African island of Mayotte stirs tensions, exposes inequalities". AP News. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "France's plan to crack down on Indian Ocean migration". BBC News. 2023-04-13. Retrieved 2024-05-28.
- ^ "Mayotte: Yaël Braun-Pivet, présidente de l'Assemblée nationale française, en visite pour soutenir les élus et la population". RFI (in French). 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Mayotte: après la fin de l'opération Wuambushu, les difficultés demeurent, les moyens manquent toujours". RFI (in French). 2024-01-13. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "En proie à l'insécurité, paralysée par les barrages, Mayotte interpelle l'État". Le Figaro (in French). 2024-02-04. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Blocages à Mayotte: une partie de la population manifeste avec virulence". RFI (in French). 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "Violences à Mayotte: "On préfère rester chez nous à partir de 18h", se désespère cet habitant". C News. 2024-02-09.
- ^ "French citizenship row engulfs Indian Ocean island of Mayotte". BBC News. 2024-02-15. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
- ^ FJ (2024-04-22). "Marine Le Pen en visite à Mayotte, elle s'affiche en tenue traditionnelle (vidéo)". TDN - Tribunal Du Net (in French). Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ AFP (16 April 2024). "A Mayotte, le gouvernement lance une deuxième opération « Wuambushu » contre la délinquance et l'immigration irrégulière". Le Monde (in French).