Second major security operation begins in France's Mayotte
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A new operation against insecurity, illegal immigration and unsanitary housing was launched on Tuesday in the French overseas department of Mayotte – a year after the start of the first intervention, Wuambushu.
Some 1,700 gendarmes, police and soldiers will be deployed in the clean-up operation dubbed "Mayotte Place Nette" (Clean Up Mayotte), which will last 11 weeks.
It follows on from last year's Operation Wuambushu ("Take Back" in Mahorian), aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, delinquency and destroying shanty towns.
The Minister for Overseas Territories, Marie Guévenoux, told France 2 television that two operations involving 400 police officers and gendarmes began early Tuesday morning at two different locations on the island.
She said a hundred "specialised" reinforcements – notably border police officers and judicial police officers – would assist in the operation.
"We must show that Mayotte is the [French] republic. This is the first message," Guévenoux said.
Gang activity
Known as the 101st French department, Mayotte is also the poorest and has seen months of unrest linked to gang activity despite the presence of 1,600 gendarmes and police officers stationed there on a regular basis.
The Indian Ocean archipelago is also facing the fallout of its worst drought since 1997, exacerbated by a lack of infrastructure and investment.
(with AFP)
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