roadblocks set up by demonstrators to protest against insecurity and immigration

Tensions are high in Mayotte. Blockades paralyzing traffic on the island were again erected on Sunday January 28 and Monday January 29 by demonstrators protesting against insecurity and immigration. At the request of the prefect, the police began dismantling these roadblocks on Saturday. But this operation aroused the anger of the demonstrators.

Late Sunday afternoon, clashes broke out in Chiconi, a large village in the west of Grande-Terre. In the middle of piled up tires, garbage dumpsters and other wooden pallets, the police, arriving aboard an armored vehicle, were greeted by throwing stones, noted an AFP journalist. Detonations were heard by residents until 4 a.m.

Since January 22, members of the Mayotte 2018 citizens’ collective and residents have blocked the island’s main roads to protest against insecurity and immigration. In particular, they are demanding the expulsion of refugees from Great Lakes Africa, installed in a makeshift camp, near the Cavani stadium, in Mamoudzou. But the first operations to dismantle the refugee camp on Thursday did not calm their anger.