French President Emmanuel Macron announced a €3.2 billion ($3.6 billion) funding package on Monday for the reconstruction of Mayotte, the French overseas department devastated by Cyclone Chido in mid-December.
Visiting the archipelago four months after the storm, which killed 40 people and caused nearly $4 billion in damage, Macron stated the funds would be disbursed between 2025 and 2031, involving national, European, and international sources, subject to reviews.
During his visit, Macron acknowledged ongoing challenges in the stabilization phase following the cyclone.
He also addressed concerns regarding health, education, the local economy, security, and illegal immigration during a meeting with elected officials.
Furthermore, Macron discussed the recently enacted law limiting birthright citizenship in Mayotte, describing it as an “anomaly” due to the territory’s “abnormal situation” of increased immigration, particularly from the Great Lakes region.
Macron announced an operation aimed at curbing migration flows and achieving 35,000 returns.
His visit to Mayotte marks the beginning of a five-day tour of the Indian Ocean, including stops in Reunion, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
