Sylvain Allemand // Credits: XOSE BOUZAS / HANS LUCAS / HANS LUCAS VIA AFP 10:41 p.m., February 10, 2024

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin is expected to arrive in Mayotte this Sunday morning, while the archipelago is blocked by numerous dams. He will be accompanied by Marie Guévenoux, Minister Delegate for Overseas Territories, and several directors general of the ministry. In a video on social networks, he indicated the outlines of the measures he intends to announce to emerge from this crisis. 

Measures to emerge from the crisis. For three weeks, Mayotte has been paralyzed by roadblocks erected by citizens wanting to fight against the massive arrival of illegal immigrants. The Minister of the Interior is going there to provide solutions to get out of this crisis. In a video, entitled "Message to the Mahorais", Gérald Darmanin outlined the measures that would be announced to restore calm in the French department.  

Message to the Mahorais ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/dF5WtGdGQy

— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) February 10, 2024

Among them, the Wuambushu II plan aimed at expelling illegal foreigners, destroying shanty towns and fighting crime in the archipelago. A second version, 10 months after a first edition with contrasting results. To do this, the tenant of Beauvau made the trip with around fifteen gendarmes from the GIGN. “This Wuambushu II, there will be more resources, law enforcement and justice to be able to fight against this foreign delinquency which is ruining the lives of our fellow citizens,” he announced.  

The establishment of a maritime iron curtain 

Among the major announcements, Gérald Darmanin announced the establishment of a maritime “iron curtain” at the request of the President of the Republic and in collaboration with the Minister of the Armed Forces. A system was put in place to prevent boats full of people in an irregular situation from arriving on the archipelago. "There will be new means of interception and new radars. Very soon, you will see changes," he said.  

Gérald Darmanin also targeted the illegal immigration networks which are rampant in the Indian Ocean territory. “People who bring people in illegally, who make false certificates of paternity and fraudulent recognition of identity, must be condemned,” he declared. Gérald Darmanin should say more about these measures when he arrives in Mayotte this Sunday at nine o'clock.