AA / Paris / Ümit Dönmez
French Prime Minister François Bayrou will arrive in Mayotte on Monday, a day later than planned, after the recent passage of the deadly cyclone “Chido” which caused considerable damage.
This decision, announced on Saturday, raises new questions after he was criticized for having initially favored a municipal council in Pau when he took office.
Quoted by the French press, Matignon justified this postponement by a desire to optimize the organization of this delicate visit, affirming that François Bayrou wants to “provide concrete solutions to the populations” in the fields of education, health and of habitat. The entourage of the head of government insisted on his “experience as a local elected official, capable of acting quickly in the face of urgent needs”.
François Bayrou will be accompanied by several ministers, including Élisabeth Borne (Education), Manuel Valls (Overseas), Valérie Létard (Housing), Yannick Neuder (Health) and Thani Mohamed Soilihi (Francophonie). Details of their on-site program have not yet been revealed, but the focus will be on health and humanitarian issues.
Mayotte, a French archipelago in the Indian Ocean, was hit hard by Cyclone Chido and remains in a critical situation. The official toll shows 39 dead and more than 4,000 injured, although local NGOs estimate that the number of victims could be higher. Access to water, electricity and food remains limited, worsening the distress of residents, particularly in slums.
In an open letter published Friday, Olivier Faure, first secretary of the Socialist Party, denounced the government's inaction in the face of the Mahoraise crisis. He recalled that “the debris is piling up, rationing persists and residents feel abandoned”, while asking for clarification on the census of victims.
This visit comes in a context of growing political tension. François Bayrou is expected to demonstrate his ability to demonstrate pragmatism and efficiency, two qualities claimed by those close to him.
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