Emmanuel Macron says he is concerned about the “social and security situation” in Mayotte

Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday, March 18: “his concern about the social and security situation in Mayotte”, during an interview with Comoros President Azali Assoumani, the Elysée reported. The two heads of state are “agreed to continue cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration, both in terms of deportation and prevention of departure”according to a press release.

Many African and Comorian migrants try to reach Mayotte clandestinely every year, half of the population of which is foreign. Since 2019, the French state has significantly increased its resources to combat this illegal immigration, in particular the continued presence at sea of ​​intercept boats and aerial surveillance. During a visit to Mayotte in December, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed his desire to strengthen the struggle.

Azali Assoumani took over the helm of the African Union (AU) a month ago, for which Emmanuel Macron made him “congratulations”. “The two presidents maintained their common desire to continue implementing the agenda emerging from the February 2022 Europe-Africa Summit”, continues the Elysée. This summit concluded with the desire to rebuild the partnership between Europe and Africa to meet the common challenges of the two continents, especially in the field of ecological transition, with an investment package of more than €150 billion.