Crowds in Mayotte expressed significant frustration towards French President Emmanuel Macron, with some residents openly booing him during his visit to assess the destruction caused by Cyclone Chido, the most powerful cyclone to strike the French territory in nearly a century.
The scenes of tension observed on Thursday underscored the discontent among the archipelago’s residents, who feel disconnected from a government situated about 8,000 kilometers away in Paris. Mayotte is the poorest department in France, and residents have previously voiced feelings of being neglected and underfunded by the government. Their dissatisfaction has grown following the cyclone, which made landfall on Saturday.
The storm has led to widespread devastation, leaving neighborhoods in ruins and causing numerous casualties, as many ignored warnings, underestimating the storm’s severity. Official estimates currently state that at least 35 lives were lost, but authorities believe hundreds or even thousands may have perished.
During his visit to Tsingoni, located on Mayotte’s main island, Macron encountered residents still without access to essential services like drinking water and phone connectivity almost a week after the cyclone struck. While some residents demanded water and assistance, others showed support by taking photos with the president and introducing him to their families.
The mood shifted dramatically the previous evening when Macron faced a hostile reception in Pamandzi on a nearby island. As residents criticized the sluggish aid response, the president, visibly frustrated, took a microphone and responded strongly, stating, “I have nothing to do with the cyclone, you can blame me, it wasn’t me!”
Macron, known for engaging in confrontations with angry crowds, balanced acknowledging the suffering faced by locals while defending the government’s actions. He remarked, “You’ve been through something terrible, everyone’s struggling, regardless of skin color,” before asserting that without French assistance, the situation would be significantly worse. His remarks were met with skepticism from some in the crowd.
Compounding the distress, a local official disclosed on Friday that many fatalities reported on the ground have not yet been officially recorded. Speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the delicate nature of the issue, she explained that many victims were migrants residing in precarious housing in the hills. The population of Mayotte is approximately 320,000, including an estimated 100,000 migrants.
There has been widespread concern regarding the slow increment of the reported death toll, which has only risen to 35 within a week following the cyclone’s devastation, with many doubting that the actual numbers have been accurately captured. According to the Interior Ministry, besides the reported deaths, 67 individuals were critically injured, with more than 2,400 suffering from minor injuries.
The ministry’s statement emphasized that the reported death toll fails to reflect the reality for many living in precarious circumstances. It indicated that 70% of residents have been severely impacted by the cyclone, prompting the prefect to initiate a comprehensive mission to locate and account for the deceased.
To improve the tracking of fatalities, the government has initiated a district-by-district census with the cooperation of local mayors and aid organizations. A significant concern was raised by French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq, who mentioned that around 17% of hospital personnel and 40% of regional health staff were still unaccounted for, amounting to approximately 60 to 70 individuals.
In response to the crisis, French military and local authorities have been working tirelessly to repair broken water lines and restore water access to the affected villages. In Mirereni, situated about 35 kilometers from the capital, officers are working to clear a large mango tree that damaged a water pipe, leaving around 10,000 residents in three nearby villages without water. Officials warned that repairs could be delayed due to extreme heat affecting the necessary equipment.
Residents expressed concerns about potential health risks arising from the water shortage, recalling a recent cholera outbreak that affected at least 200 individuals earlier in the year. Mayotte, located between East Africa and Madagascar, was once a French colony, and its inhabitants chose to remain part of France in a 1974 referendum, while other islands in the region gained independence.
In recent years, Mayotte has seen an influx of migrants from Comoros, one of the world’s poorest nations, many of whom reside illegally in the French territory. Macron reiterated that combating illegal immigration is crucial for addressing the underlying issues facing Mayotte, emphasizing the strain on public services in schools and healthcare amid the rising population.
He outlined his proposal for new regulations to reduce illegal immigration to the territory and announced a special law aimed at expediting the rebuilding process in Mayotte, focusing on eliminating slum conditions and replacing substandard housing with more resilient structures.