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In early 2024, a political and economic crisis broke out in the French territory of Mayotte.
| This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
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In early 2024, a political and economic crisis broke out in the French territory of Mayotte.
Mayotte is the poorest offshore department in France, but is more economically developed compared to Madagascar and Comoros. The economy largely depends on the labor of economic migrants, many of whom are undocumented. [1] [2] In 2018, unrest in Mayotte was triggered by protests against the economic crisis and illegal immigrants from the Comoros islands, leading to roadblocks, a general strike, and demonstrations, with locals expressing concerns about the strain on health, housing, and education services due to the influx of migrants. [3] In 2021, 54 Members of Parliament warned of "impending social chaos" due to severe poverty and illegal immigration. [4] In early 2023, the government saught to demolish 1,000 bangas, or makeshift homes, in slums inhabited by 40% of the island's population. [1] Emergency vehicles announced they would not drive at night in December 2023. [5] Droughts led to water shortages and protests were held. [6] This was exacerbated by consistent underinvestment in Mayotte. [7]
Operation Wuambushu was launched by the French government. [8] in order to combat illegal migration in the Indian Ocean. [9]
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 16 April 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]
In the 2024 French legislative election, the National Rally had a breakthrough with Anchya Bamana winning Mayotte's 2nd constituency. [18]