Anti-migration operation on French African island of Mayotte stirs tensions, exposes inequalities

By GREGOIRE MEROT
Associated Press

CHIRONGUI, Mayotte (AP) — France is facing a migration quagmire on the island territory of Mayotte off Africa’s east coast. The government sent in 2,000 troops and police to carry out mass expulsions, destroy slums and eradicate violent gangs. But the operation has become bogged down and raised concerns of abuse, aggravating tensions between local residents and immigrants from the neighboring country of Comoros. It is also laying bare entrenched poverty among both communities, and deep inequalities between Mayotte and the rest of France. Some say lack of attention from the French state is at the core of Mayotte’s problems. Meanwhile, anti-migrant collectives are starting to take things into their own hands.