Mayotte, France's poorest overseas territory, hit by crippling social crisis

Two weeks of protests against ongoing insecurity on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte have reportedly "paralysed the entire economy" as blockades prevent the movement of goods, disrupt travel and force school closures.

A sign reads “Mayotte is Comorian and will remain so forever" by a beach in Mayotte. © David Baché / RFI

Road blocks "almost every kilometre" were clogging traffic on Mayotte – with violent youths throwing stones in a situation described as "chaos on top of chaos" by president of the local Medef employer federation, Carla Baltus.

Residents of the archipelago – which has long been hit by water shortages, a housing crisis and illegal immigration from neighboring Comoros – “no longer have a life” because social activities are too dangerous, and people are forced to be home by 6pm, Baltus told FranceInfo.

“We fear for our lives every day,” she said, adding the road blocks were also holding up health workers and preventing the delivery of medicines to pharmacies.

Rally in the capital

Mayotte's Forces Vives (Living Forces) collective is behind the blockades, which were temporarily lifted on Tuesday to allow for a rally in multiple areas of the capital, Mamoudzou.

Protesters gathered outside the Place de la Republique before marching to the High Court, where security forces used tear gas to prevent crowds from entering.

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Among their demands is the dismantling of a refugee camp set up in a local football stadium as well as an end to resident permits that prevent their holders from leaving the territory. Locals also complain of lower social benefits and a lower minimum wage than in mainland France.

“Mayotte has been a French department since 2011 but many people say it is an empty shell," Zakia, a local mother, told RFI.

"We do not have the same votes as the French departments. This is precisely what the Mahorais are demanding, the same social rights as the other French departments."

Water shortages

An archipelago of 310,000 inhabitants, Mayotte is facing its most crippling drought since 1997 – made worse by a lack of infrastructure and investment.

Residents have access to clean water one day in three and are now receiving bottled water shipped in from mainland France.

The government has said that the free distribution of bottled water will continue for "as long as necessary", and bills will be paid by the state.