William Molinié, edited by Alexandre Dalifard / Photo credit: ALI AL-DAHER / AFP 06:21, April 21, 2023

In recent years, Mayotte has been heavily affected by illegal immigration. To deal with this, Operation Wuambushu will be launched in the 101st French department. Problem, it is decried by the associations. But several groups of Mahoran citizens are mobilizing to defend it.

In Mayotte, the operation to combat illegal immigration is taking shape. Destruction of makeshift housing, arrests and evictions of illegal immigrants, Operation Wuambushu, which means "recovery", is decried by associations. But several groups of Mahoran citizens are mobilizing for it to take place and multiply meetings, especially in the south of the island.

"The state must protect our children"

Behind the door, seated cross-legged, about fifteen people are gathered. The women and men present are all in favour of Operation Wuambushu and the debate between them is passionate. "The state must be there and must protect us. The state must protect our children. Today, we have been deprived of our freedom to go to our fields. We are deprived of our beaches. This is not Africa. This is not the Comoros. Here, it's Mayotte," laments a resident at the microphone of Europe 1.

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To put an end to illegal immigration and delinquency is the wish of this collective of citizens who fear a simple communication operation coming straight from Paris. "Is this an operation that aims to really secure? Is it something perennial or is it just a spontaneous operation, a display, and leave all the problems behind? Because it will come back if we do not do a real cleaning, "wonders the resident of the French department. As soon as the first shovel is given on a slum, everyone fears violence against the Mahorais in retaliation. Including looting in the island's shops and stones on school buses regularly ambushed.