In the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which struck Mayotte earlier this month, local leaders and residents advocate for the deportation of undocumented immigrants residing in the area. The cyclone's destruction has highlighted and intensified longstanding resentment towards immigrants from neighboring Comoros.
Cyclone Chido: A Catalyst for Immigration Discontent in Mayotte
Cyclone Chido: A Catalyst for Immigration Discontent in Mayotte
Recent cyclone devastation in Mayotte exposes rising tensions surrounding undocumented immigrants.
In Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte, the cyclone, which occurred on December 14 and resulted in at least 39 fatalities, has been viewed by some as an opportunity to advance anti-immigrant sentiment. Advocacy leader Safina Soula voiced her support for the destructive operation initiated by French authorities to dismantle slums primarily occupied by these undocumented immigrants, proclaiming it a “divine Wuambushu” or “great cleanup.” This operation aims to address the influx of migrants, with reports indicating that nearly one-third of Mayotte's 320,000 residents are undocumented.
Local Mahorais have increasingly blamed these immigrants for rising crime rates and for depleting public resources in a region where almost 80% live below the poverty line—the highest level in France. This complex project of identity and nationality surfaces in the historical context of Mayotte; unlike its Comorian counterparts, Mayotte chose to maintain its French status in a 1974 referendum, fueling deep-rooted tensions over immigration, identity, and economic disparity.
The cyclone’s devastation, although tragic, has galvanized calls for stronger measures against undocumented immigrants, indicating a volatile intersection of environmental disaster and socio-political strife. With the situation continuously evolving, Mayotte's future remains uncertain as communities grapple with the impacts of both natural and human-induced challenges.
Local Mahorais have increasingly blamed these immigrants for rising crime rates and for depleting public resources in a region where almost 80% live below the poverty line—the highest level in France. This complex project of identity and nationality surfaces in the historical context of Mayotte; unlike its Comorian counterparts, Mayotte chose to maintain its French status in a 1974 referendum, fueling deep-rooted tensions over immigration, identity, and economic disparity.
The cyclone’s devastation, although tragic, has galvanized calls for stronger measures against undocumented immigrants, indicating a volatile intersection of environmental disaster and socio-political strife. With the situation continuously evolving, Mayotte's future remains uncertain as communities grapple with the impacts of both natural and human-induced challenges.
