Mayotte: General strike continues March 14 /update 5

Event

The general strike in Mayotte continues as of Wednesday, March 14. Though an agreement was met in principle between organizers of the strike and Minister of Overseas Territories Annick Girardin on Tuesday, March 13, strike leaders decided to continue the action and maintain roadblocks due to several shortcomings of the deal, including on security issues and public service provision amid a recent influx of migrants from Comoros. Further protests are possible in the coming days and weeks. A continued increased security presence is to be anticipated throughout the island.

On a related note, a legislative by-election will be held on Sunday, March 18, after the Constitutional Council invalidated the June 2017 election of Ramlati Ali, a member of the ruling LREM (La République En Marche) party. A second round will be held Sunday, March 25, if no candidate secures a majority of the vote.

Context

Several highly disruptive protests have broken out in Mayotte since February 20 to denounce the increased influx of Comorian migrants - as well as related security concerns - and to demand the resignation of the prefect. Schools throughout the island have been closed since the beginning of the strike.

The department's population is thought to be approximately 43 percent undocumented migrants - a situation which has incited the local population to violence against immigrants, who are often blamed for the increasing insecurity in the department.

Advice

Individuals in Mayotte are advised to avoid all demonstrations and to monitor developments to the situation.