In brief
Cyclone Chido's destruction in Mayotte has sparked increased resentment towards undocumented immigrants, particularly from neighboring Comoros. Advocacy group leaders see the cyclone as an opportunity to push for stricter government actions against these communities, citing long-standing socio-economic grievances.
The aftermath of Cyclone Chido on December 14 has intensified the long-standing tensions surrounding immigration on the French island of Mayotte, where many locals are expressing a desire for the deportation of undocumented immigrants. Led by Safina Soula, an advocacy group representative, the sentiment is echoed in comments labeling the cyclone's destruction as a “divine Wuambushu,” referring to a French operation aimed at clearing slums populated by immigrants, primarily from the neighboring Comoros islands.With a reported death toll of at least 39 from the cyclone, the French interior ministry has indicated that undocumented immigrants make up nearly one-third of Mayotte's population of 320,000. This situation has exacerbated the frustrations of Mahorais residents, who have long linked crime and resource scarcity to the presence of these immigrant communities. Mayotte, a region where nearly 80% of its inhabitants live in poverty, is France's poorest territory. Despite a shared ancestry, tensions remain stark since Mayotte's decision in a 1974 referendum to remain a French territory while the rest of the Comoros archipelago sought independence.As local leaders push for renewed government attention to deport undocumented immigrants, the cyclone's devastation acts as a catalyst for change in a fraught immigration landscape. The distress caused by the cyclone may prompt the French state to respond to these escalating demands, as the residents of Mayotte express their longstanding grievances amid the ruins left behind.
