Macron Under Fire in Mayotte: Accused of Neglect Amid Calls for Resignation
On Thursday, December 19th, President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mayotte, five days after Cyclone Chhedo struck, leaving at least 31 dead and nearly 2,500 injured, according to preliminary reports. During his visit, Macron was met with sharp criticism from the island’s residents, who condemned the dire living conditions, particularly the severe water shortages that have plagued the archipelago.
Macron was greeted by loud boos and protests as he attempted to address the devastated population. In a tense and emotional exchange, frustrated and desperate residents of Mayotte voiced their anger over the government’s lack of response to the crisis. The situation became particularly heated in Bamandzi, on the island of Petite Terre, where many locals openly called for his resignation, chanting “Resign! Resign! Resign!” and accusing him of inaction. “You’re talking nonsense,” one protester shouted. “Water, water, water,” echoed the voices of mothers and young people desperate for basic necessities.
Unable to provide concrete details on the actions taken by the government, Macron’s response was telling: “I am not the cyclone! I am not responsible!” His words only fueled further resentment. In an attempt to defend his administration, he added, “You are happy to be in France! If it weren’t for France, you’d be 10,000 times worse off!” He also stated, “There is no place in the Indian Ocean where we help people as much as we do here.”
The president’s comments sparked outrage, particularly from political figures. Eric Coquerel, Chairman of the Finance Committee in the French National Assembly, remarked, “This exchange speaks for itself.” He expressed skepticism about Macron’s future, questioning whether his leadership could survive the remaining 30 months of his presidency. “Who still thinks this is possible until 2027?” he asked on social media.
Ecologist MP Sandrine Rousseau, criticized Macron’s tone, describing his behavior as “arrogant and patronizing.” She added, “I saw him in a shirt asking, ‘Are you proud to be French?’ This is not the issue. We are facing the largest humanitarian catastrophe since World War II, and Macron is putting on a show. It is simply not adequate.”
Macron’s visit to Mayotte, intended to address the aftermath of Cyclone Chhedo, has instead turned into a spectacle of public discontent. The president’s inability to effectively engage with the island’s suffering population, coupled with his dismissive remarks, has triggered intense debate within French politics about his leadership and the government’s responsibility in crisis management.
