The recent destruction caused by Cyclone Chido in Mayotte has intensified the local populace's calls for the deportation of undocumented residents, particularly from the nearby Comoros islands. Locals express relief at the cyclone's impact on slums and demand swift government action against undocumented immigrants, highlighting a growing resentment within the archipelago.
Cyclone Chido Triggers Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Mayotte
Cyclone Chido Triggers Anti-Immigrant Sentiment in Mayotte
Cyclone devastates Mayotte, revealing deep-seated tensions towards undocumented immigrants from Comoros.
On December 14, Cyclone Chido wreaked havoc across Mayotte, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 39 lives and leaving many communities in ruins, especially those housing undocumented immigrants. Safina Soula, a prominent advocate for Mayotte's residents, viewed the cyclone as a necessary catalyst for change, referencing France's controversial "Wuambushu" operation aimed at dismantling slum residences and expelling undocumented immigrants.
Reports from France's interior ministry indicate that about a third of Mayotte's 320,000 residents are undocumented, exacerbating frustrations among locals, known as Mahorais. They often argue that these immigrants contribute to crime and resource scarcity in what is already France’s poorest region, where approximately 80% of the population lives in poverty.
The historical context complicates the current situation; Mayotte has shared cultural ties with the Comoros archipelago. However, its residents voted in a decisive 1974 referendum to remain French, creating a demographic split that has fostered tensions. Locals, faced with the aftermath of the cyclone, now urge their government to accelerate efforts to resolve the deeply rooted issues faced by both Mayotte and its undocumented immigrant population.
Reports from France's interior ministry indicate that about a third of Mayotte's 320,000 residents are undocumented, exacerbating frustrations among locals, known as Mahorais. They often argue that these immigrants contribute to crime and resource scarcity in what is already France’s poorest region, where approximately 80% of the population lives in poverty.
The historical context complicates the current situation; Mayotte has shared cultural ties with the Comoros archipelago. However, its residents voted in a decisive 1974 referendum to remain French, creating a demographic split that has fostered tensions. Locals, faced with the aftermath of the cyclone, now urge their government to accelerate efforts to resolve the deeply rooted issues faced by both Mayotte and its undocumented immigrant population.
