“We are experiencing a dramatic situation, the entire economy is paralyzed,” laments the president of Medef on the island

Blockages installed in several places on the island since January 22 are paralyzing the movement of Mahorais and goods, said Carla Baltus, president of Medef in Mayotte, Wednesday February 7.

“We are really experiencing a dramatic situation”, deplores Carla Baltus, president of Medef in Mayotte, on Wednesday February 7 on France Inter, while roadblocks are still blocking traffic in several places on the island since January 22. For more than two weeks, the Forces vives collective of Mayotte has maintained blockades to protest against the permanent insecurity in this French department. The blockades were temporarily lifted on Tuesday February 6 to allow the Mahorais to participate in a demonstration in Mamoudzou.

Carla Baltus describes “dams almost every kilometer” to which are added “blockades of young delinquents who attack and stone”. “What we are experiencing today is chaos on top of chaos”, laments the president of Medef in Mayotte. She claims that the Mahorais “have no more life”forced to be “cloistered in [eux] at 18 o’clock”. She even judges “a little dangerous just going to the beach” or “going out a little late to a restaurant”. “We fear for our lives every day”she gets excited.

Shortages in stores and pharmacies

Due to this social movement, it is “impossible to travel” on the island, so much so that “the entire economy is totally paralyzed”. According to Carla Baltus, “100% of construction is at a standstill”since the workers do not “cannot arrive at the construction site”. “When all goes well, we have 25% of the workforce in companies”. She explains that “the port is almost blocked” which creates major supply difficulties. The president of Medef in Mayotte thus notes “shortages in stores”but also “withdrawals in hotels” and low reservations in restaurants. She fears that “many traders are not making it” in front of this situation.

At the head of a public road transport company, Carla Baltus notices that “drivers have difficulty passing” roadblocks and therefore cannot take the children to their schools. “Few children manage to go to school”she regrets.

The boss of Medef Mahorais also alerts “a health problem” which adds to the economic difficulties. She assures that “health professionals find it difficult to pass the roadblocks” or “delivery men cannot deliver to pharmacies”.

Carla Baltus explains that this insecurity is not recent and that its consequences weigh heavily on the local economy. “Businesses have been suffering for years”, insists the president of Medef in Mayotte. She welcomes the action of “government” towards the poorest department in France. Carla Baltus thus highlights “The financial means” who were deployed on the island. But she notes a certain “paradox”. “Despite all the financial resources we put in, we can’t do it”, she laments. She therefore calls for the intervention of a “mediator” to get out of the crisis. Carla Baltus “ask that a state representative come to Mayotte to sit around the table”. She also demands “the clemency” among all stakeholders: “We won’t have everything right away, overnight”she insists.