Mamoudzou (AFP)
The Minister of Overseas Annick Girardin presented Monday in Mayotte a strengthened device to fight against illegal immigration, including military and customs personnel, to meet the target of 25,000 renewed at the border in 2019.
This device, dubbed "Operation Shikandra", is organized around four axes: the protection of borders; the reaffirmation of the presence on the ground; deepening of judicial work; international cooperation with Comoros in particular. It must be effective by the end of the year, according to the minister.
It provides for a consolidation of the fight at sea, with 22 additional personnel in the embarked personnel, 10 soldiers for the gendarmerie brigade and 12 officials for the Border Police Brigade (PAF). The number of interceptor ships will increase from 5 to 8 in January 2020, Girardin added.
"We will be able 24 hours a day to be at sea on surveillance operations and to intercept the kwassa-kwassa (illegal clandestine craft, editorial note) that would like to arrive on the Mahoran coast." The idea is to be truly more effective. " said Annick Girardin, who was accompanied by government spokeswoman Sibeth Ndiaye, for a 48-hour visit to the department.
Aerial surveillance will also be improved for the detection of illegal craft, the guidance of interceptors and the judicialization of smugglers.
Annick Girardin also announced the arrival of 70 additional people by the end of the year for the workforce on Earth. Operation Shikandra also provides for the increased presence of legionnaires on the territory for observation, information and support missions to arrests conducted by the internal security forces.
The judicial component of the operation includes the creation of a cell against illegal work or the strengthening of seven additional staff for the registry of the Mamoudzou High Court.
The Minister of Overseas has placed special emphasis on the continuation and strengthening of international cooperation, security cooperation, economic and health cooperation with the Comoros.
"We put the framework, we will be alongside the Comorians on the immigration side, health development, economic if they are up to their responsibilities," said the Minister of Overseas who recalled that the objective of 25,000 renewed by the end of the year, remained current. The gauge is around 18,000.
© 2019 AFP