Moroni, Comoros – (African Boulevard News) – Mayors in Comoros have protested in response to what they call the French territory of Mayotte’s aggressive operation, “Wuambushu” directed towards repatriating migrants. The mayors said the operation is unfair and unjust, and called on the government of Comoros to take a stand against the forced deportations.
Mayotte has been struggling with waves of illegal immigration from neighboring Comoros for years. Migrants from the Comoros often brave the rough seas to reach Mayotte, in the hope of a better life on the French-administered island. According to France’s interior minister, more than 4,000 people have been deported to Comoros since January.
The operation has caused tension between Mayotte and Comoros, with the Comoran government accusing France of not doing enough to help manage the influx of migrants. Comoran officials have banned French vessels from docking at its ports and are pushing for an urgent meeting between the two countries.
Comoran mayors also condemned the French government for turning a blind eye to the plight of migrants who are often subjected to heavy-handed tactics by the French police. In a statement, they said, “It is unfair and unjust for France to deport these migrants to Comoros without proper consideration for the safety and well-being of the individuals involved.”
The archipelago country of Comoros, which lies off the coast of East Africa, is refusing to accept people deported from Mayotte, saying it cannot cope with the influx. The government of Comoros is calling on the international community to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis, which has left thousands of migrants stranded on Mayotte and facing deportation.
The situation has also reignited a long-standing dispute between the two countries over the sovereignty of the Comoran island of Mayotte, which voted to remain part of France in 1974.
The French government has defended its policy, saying it is necessary to maintain law and order on the island. However, critics argue that the operation is a human rights violation and that France should do more to address the root causes of illegal migration.
As the situation between Mayotte and Comoros continues to escalate, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond to the humanitarian crisis affecting the migrants caught in the middle.
