Mayotte: Protest in Mamoudzou amid general strike March 7 /update 2

Event

The ongoing general strike in Mayotte protesting growing insecurity on the island has entered its third week. Roadblocks throughout the island continue to disrupt road traffic as of Tuesday, March 6. On Monday, March 5, elected officials issued a statement calling for a plan to further develop the country and declared themselves in solidarity with the people. A protest is planned for Mamoudzou on Wednesday, March 7, that will be attended by a number of elected officials and Mayotte citizens. An increased security presence is expected to be deployed throughout the island, both in response to the strike and to broader security concerns. Outbreaks of violence during demonstrations cannot be ruled out.

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 La République En Marche party. The second round will be held Sunday, March 25, if no candidate secures a majority of votes in the first round.

Context

Multiple protests have broken out in Mayotte since February 20 to denounce the increased influx of Comorian migrants to the islands - as well as related security concerns - and to demand the resignation of the prefect. Schools throughout the island have been closed for the past month.

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 keep abreast of the situation.