MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte — The devastation caused by Cyclone Chido has not only severely impacted the already fragile infrastructure of Mayotte but has also intensified the long-standing tensions between the local population and the significant number of migrants residing on the island.
Many migrants, who entered the island unlawfully, faced the most serious consequences as the storm swept through this Indian Ocean archipelago, recognized as France’s most impoverished territory. Local authorities reported that a substantial number of these migrants opted to stay away from emergency shelters due to fears of deportation, exacerbating their vulnerabilities within the makeshift communities they reside in.
Local residents, meanwhile, expressed frustration over the perceived allocation of limited government resources to migrants, further igniting discord. “We are the rightful inhabitants of this island,” declared Amada Salime, surveying the wreckage of his destroyed home. He lamented, “If there is any aid coming from the government — be it water, food, or financial help to rebuild homes — Mahorais people will be left out. Immigrants outnumber us, and we will be overlooked.”
Situated between Madagascar and mainland Africa, Mayotte has a population of approximately 320,000. French officials estimate that an additional 100,000 migrants, primarily from the nearby Comoros Islands, also make this island their home. The public services in Mayotte, which were originally structured for a considerably smaller demographic, are currently overwhelmed. According to the French statistics agency INSEE, nearly 75% of Mayotte’s residents live in poverty, and the median disposable income there is drastically lower, being only one-eighth of that found in the metropolitan area of Paris.
During a recent visit to the island, French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged the escalating challenges posed by this rapid population growth. He stated, “The issues facing Mayotte cannot be addressed without tackling illegal immigration. Despite governmental investments, the pressure from migration has caused everything to unravel.”
The cyclone inflicted additional hardship on Mayotte by demolishing homes, schools, and essential infrastructure. While the official count of fatalities stands at 35, officials warn that actual figures could be far higher, with many casualties still unaccounted for.
Shantytowns, or “bangas,” inhabited by migrants have long been a contentious issue on the island. Macron stated, “Can we resolve the shantytown dilemma now? The answer is no. It will be addressed during the stabilization and rebuilding phases.”
For migrants like Nazca Antoiy, a Comorian woman who has resided in Mayotte for ten years, the cyclone has augmented fears of forced displacement. “I heard warnings that people were discouraged from rebuilding homes. That raises significant concern for us,” she explained, reflecting the anxiety shared by many regarding the authorities possibly accelerating efforts to demolish informal residences.
These worries carry some weight, as France previously initiated Operation Wuambushu, a contentious campaign aimed at demolishing shantytowns and deporting migrants who entered illegally. Macron hinted that similar initiatives might resurface while emphasizing that reconstruction should be prioritized.
In the aftermath of the storm, many inhabitants find it increasingly difficult to secure basic necessities, with some, like Fatima, a 46-year-old mother of five, struggling to acquire clean water. Fatima shared her frustrations, stating, “I can’t endure this anymore. Just obtaining water is a challenge.” She expressed doubts about the island’s capacity to sustain its current population, let alone accommodate more migrants.
Most migrants possess familial ties in Mayotte and communicate in the same languages, seeking improved living conditions on the island rather than aiming for paths to mainland Europe. Historically, Mayotte’s strategic location has made it a focal point for migration. Although the island voted to remain a French territory in referendums in 1974 and 1976, the neighboring Comoros has never accepted its sovereignty over the island and continues to lay claim to it, fueling waves of migration where people undertake dangerous sea voyages each year.
Former French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau recently reignited discussions, labeling the situation in Mayotte as a “war.” He proposed tougher measures aimed at preventing further migrant arrivals, including utilizing drones and naval patrols. “We need to adopt a much stricter stance towards Comoros,” he remarked, accusing the neighboring government of permitting migrants to depart its shores without interference.
Retailleau has suggested “changing the rules” in order to limit birthright citizenship in Mayotte. This policy was already tightened in 2018, requiring evidence that at least one parent had been a legal resident for over three months. Critics argue that such measures merely deepen societal divisions without adequately addressing the underlying factors driving migration.
A parliamentary report from 2023 alluded to Mayotte being a potential “ticking time bomb” and proposed the redistribution of some of Mayotte’s migrant population to mainland France — a suggestion unlikely to garner widespread support.
