Faced with migration crisis, France deployed 2,000 troops to the french controlled island of Mayotte, off the east coast of Africa, to conduct large expulsions, demolish slums, and evacuate violent gangs.
However, the operation has since slowed and prompted concerns about abuse, brewing tensions between locals, and immigrants from the neighboring country of Comoros. It has also exposed the vulnerabilities in both communities, as well as conflicts over the island’s status and vast disparities between Mayotte and the rest of France.
While France claims Mayotte, Comoros, located 100 kilometers northwest across the Indian Ocean strait, was once a French colony, before gaining independence in 1975. Mayotte is by far, France most deprived region, although its average yearly income of roughly $3,500, still twice higher than that of the Comoros.
“How can they imagine for a second that, the operation will make things better,” asked Momo, a Comorian father of five, who has lived in Mayotte for 30 years. Momo claimed, he fought against any efforts to eject him and his family from this island.
Momo belongs to those, who believe that, France lack of attention has been the root of Mayotte’s troubles. Momo, like other majority, are afraid of revealing their identity for fear of retaliation or ejection.
Meanwhile, anti-migrant groups in Mayotte Island, north of Madagascar, have taken matters into their own hands. Some have obstructed hospitals that treat foreigners, interfering with shipments of medications and commodities to Comoros, and vowing to demolish slums if authorities do not arrive first.
Moreover, resistance groups have pushed back and opposed any peace initiatives. Army and police personnel have been battling to subject Mayotte under control. Both groups are predominantly Black and trace their roots to a network of islands whose status has been disputed historically.
In exchange for protection, France acquired Mayotte from a self-declared sultan in 1841. French colonization then expanded to Comoros’ other three principal islands. Conflicts occurred among the residents of the various islands, as independence movements grew following World War II.
The 1974 referendum, saw three islands voted for independence to form the new nation of Comoros, but Mayotte opted no and stayed under French control. However, Comoros still regard Mayotte as part of its chain of Islands.
While Mayotte’s growth lags well behind than that of French mainland, Comoros on the other hand, has been riddled with corruption and difficulties to deliver basic public necessities. Comorians consider Mayotte as a safe haven, where individuals seek medical attention, and their children access education.
Operation Wuambush
“Operation Wuambushu” commenced on April 24 and was expected to last two months. The likelihood of the operation to prolong, due to failures incurred by the French government and Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. The Minister has been the architect behind the operation and the engine behind France’s overall migration-control measures in Mayotte Island.
Before arriving on the Island, a judge banned the French Police Force from ejecting people from Mayotte, and Comoros has declined to accept the migrants back. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Comoros President Azali Assoumani in an attempt to break the impasse.
Mayotte residents have applauded the increased of security in Mayotte. More than 1,000 people demonstrated earlier this month in Chirongui, southern Mayotte, in favor of the operation and to emphasize their allegiance to France.
Also, people in the southern Mayotte village of Tsimkoura, prepared a list of “foreigner settlements” and delivered it to the mayor, requesting that the occupants be expelled by the end of the week. “Otherwise, we will take care of it,” Kourati Youssouffa, a public servant with the local administration of Mayotte, declared.
A written note, circulated last week in the secluded town of Hagnoundrou, warning them of an impending “hunt for migrants.” It said, “Don’t forget your children, they are part of your luggage.” Local authorities have denied any such move.
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