Macron booed during visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte

President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Mayotte has been met with anger and frustration as local residents continue to deal with the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Chido.

Arriving in Mayotte on Thursday, President Emmanuel Macron was greeted by protests and boos in the city of Pamandzi, with residents demanding more aid and faster government response.

The situation remains dire, five days after the cyclone struck. Official reports confirm that 31 people have died, though local leaders fear the death toll could be much higher. Thousands remain trapped under rubble, their homes completely destroyed, while heavy rains have hampered rescue efforts and made many areas inaccessible. In Mayotte’s capital, Mamoudzou, entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ruins.

Aid distribution has been slow, and many residents are still waiting for help. The government has announced plans to increase food and water supplies by air and sea, but opposition politicians have accused the Macron administration of neglecting Mayotte. Many locals claim they have received no assistance since the cyclone hit.

Meanwhile, a report from the French political group La France Insoumise (LFI) has raised serious concerns about President Macron’s handling of issues in French overseas territories. The report specifically highlights the marginalization of the Kanak people in New Caledonia and accusations of neocolonialism.

It also references violent unrest following controversial government actions, with blockades and clashes between independence activists, militias, and police. LFI claims that 13 people died during the unrest, including at least eight Kanak individuals, allegedly killed by militias.

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Emmanuel Macron Cyclone Chido mayotte