During his tour on Thursday, the atmosphere was charged with tension, highlighting the deep frustrations among the residents of this Indian Ocean archipelago, situated roughly 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from Paris. Many citizens feel that their government has overlooked their needs, resulting in dissatisfaction not just with prior neglect, but also concerning the government’s response following the catastrophic cyclone that struck on Saturday.
The cyclone wreaked havoc, decimating entire communities and leaving an uncertain death toll in its wake. Initial reports indicated that many locals ignored storm warnings, believing the storm would not reach such severity. As a result, authorities have estimated that the death toll could be in the hundreds or even thousands, although official counts rose to 35 by Friday.
On his visit to Tsingoni, one of the neighborhoods hardest hit, Macron encountered residents still without access to clean drinking water or telephone services, nearly a week post-storm. As he moved through the area, cries for “We want water, we want water” rang out, while some individuals greeted him warmly, asking for selfies and showcasing their children.
However, the prior night, in Pamandzi, Macron faced backlash, with residents booing him as they aired their frustrations over the slow delivery of aid. In a moment of irritation, the president took to a microphone, asserting, “I have nothing to do with the cyclone, you can blame me, it wasn’t me!” Macron, often known for engaging in direct debates with critics, attempted to balance recognition of the residents’ challenges with his own counterarguments.
He remarked, “You’ve been through something terrible, everyone’s struggling, regardless of skin color,” before visibly losing patience and stating, “If it wasn’t France, you’d be 10,000 times more screwed!” Macron added that the territory receives substantial aid compared to other areas in the Indian Ocean, to which a woman from the crowd voiced her disagreement.
A local official, speaking under the condition of anonymity, indicated that many fatalities, particularly among migrants residing in precarious conditions, have not yet been accounted for in official statistics. Mayotte has a population of around 320,000, including an estimated 100,000 migrants. Although the official death count has gradually increased since the storm’s landfall, many local residents are shocked by the lack of more rapid updates.
The Interior Ministry confirmed on Friday that in addition to the fatalities, 67 individuals sustained serious injuries, while over 2,400 suffered minor injuries, affirming that the reported death toll does not accurately reflect the dire conditions faced by residents living in unstable housing. Consequently, local officials have initiated a mission to account for the deceased.
With the authorities recognizing that 70% of the population has been severely impacted, the government is working on a method for documenting the number of deaths through a population census conducted with the help of municipal leaders and community groups. Moreover, French Health Minister Geneviève Darrieussecq stated that approximately 40% of healthcare workers in the region remain unaccounted for, complicating the efforts to deliver essential services.
As local and military authorities rushed to restore water services, they faced significant challenges, including the removal of large trees that had damaged water lines. Repairs are complicated by the heat, which affects the machinery needed for restoration. Residents expressed concern that water shortages could lead to disease outbreaks, recalling a recent cholera incident that resulted in at least 200 cases.
Mayotte, a former French colony, has remained under French governance after other islands in the region opted for independence in a 1974 referendum. Over the years, the territory has experienced extensive migration from Comoros, one of the poorest nations globally, with many migrants living illegally in Mayotte.
To address the issue of illegal immigration, Macron emphasized that managing this challenge is essential for the territory’s recovery, asserting that the extreme population growth in schools and hospitals exacerbates feelings of abandonment. Furthermore, he proposed new legislation aimed at accelerating rebuilding efforts and replacing substandard housing with more durable structures.
