Petite-terre, Dembeni, Sada… Thani Mohamed Soilihi, the Secretary of State in charge of La Francophonie and International Partnerships, was warmly welcomed in Mayotte for his first visit since joining the government.
The rhythm of the day begins as soon as he gets off the plane at Marcel Henry airport. Thani Mohamed Soilihi was welcomed with great pomp, to the sound of chigoma, a Mahorese dance and song. He then went to the Place des Congrès in Pamandzi, where he spoke to recall that a “Mahorais joining the government is a first for the territory.” During his speech, he insisted on the importance of remaining united. A message intended for the elected officials of Mayotte. “Thank you for showing unity because without unity we will not succeed”he insisted.
The Secretary of State in charge of Francophonie and International Partnerships then went to pay his respects at the grave of Zakia Madi, an important step for him because, “she is a martyr in Mayotte’s fight to stay with France”he indicated. Subsequently, he began a working meeting with the president of the departmental council, the prefect and the Mayotte Development and Innovation Agency at Case Rocher.
A Republican welcome to Dembeni
The delegation then headed to Dembeni, where a republican welcome was organized. The Secretary of State inaugurated the Iloni football stadium and even kicked the first goal.
On our Mayotte la 1ère antenna, Thani Mohamed Soilihi recalled that his visit is part of “within the framework of bilateral relations between France and Kenya.” Indeed, he will travel to Kenya on Sunday evening to sign an agreement between the Kenyan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Mayotte Development and Innovation Agency.
Now they are mobilizing
It was a human tide that welcomed the Secretary of State in charge of La Francophonie and International Partnerships in Sada, his hometown. After a visit to her mother, a giant manzaraka procession was organized in her honor. And it was in the rain that Thani Mohamed Soilihi recalled his childhood spent in this village in the center-west of Mayotte. “The child that I was would never have imagined that one day I would have the immense pride of being the first Mahorais to enter the government” he pointed out.
A man committed to Mayotte
Some elected officials questioned Thani Mohamed Soilihi on the place of the 101st department within the Indian Ocean Commission. “It’s a fight that France is leading for the integration of Mayotte into its region. As soon as I took office, it’s a subject in which I have been involved… I work with my team”replies the government member.
Concerning the Mayotte law, he recalled that it is not part of his skills as Secretary of State in charge of the Francophonie and International Partnerships, however he ensures that he bridges the gap between the legitimate demands of Mayotte and the government. “The subject of the Mayotte law is the responsibility of François Noël Buffet and Bruno Retailleau… You can count on me to raise these sensitive subjects with my colleagues who have primary responsibility for them”, he assured.
Thani Mohamed Soilihi ended the day soaked by the rain, but very grateful for the warm and popular welcome that was reserved for him throughout this historic day.
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