On Wednesday May 17, French justice returned to the suspension of the demolition operation of the informal district of Talus 2, in Mayotte and maritime links resumed between the French island and the Comoros. Operation “Wuambushu” will therefore be able to resume », assures Gérald Darmanin.
Will “Wuambushu” resume? After several weeks at a standstill, the vast operation to combat immigration, crime and slums in Mayotte wanted by Gérald Darmanin, who mobilizes 1,800 police forces on the island, should regain momentum following a favorable court decision. Justice validated Wednesday a demolition operation in the district of Talus 2, in Koungou. It had been suspended just a few hours before its launch on April 24 and since then, the fight against unsanitary housing component of the operation has been stopped.
► To read also: In Mayotte, a chaotic first week for Operation Wuambushu
The judge in chambers had considered that the demolition of the targeted habitats put ” jeopardize the security of other residents, whose homes would be weakened. But the Mayotte Court of Appeal overturned this order on Wednesday, ruling that ” apart from their status of occupier “, the applicants had ” justified by any element which makes it possible to establish the reality of the right of ownership which they consider affected “.
” The judge noted the non-respect of the rights of the defence, that is to say of the State, and the incompetence of the judicial judge. Our determined action to destroy unworthy habitat in Mayotte will therefore be able to resume “, reacted Gérald Darmanin on Twitter. The operation to destroy the sheet metal huts of Talus 2 will therefore take place ” in the next few days “, said his entourage. ” The “reclaiming of land and destruction of unworthy habitat” component of Operation Wuambushu will finally be able to deploy “, rejoiced the deputy LR Mansour Kamardine in a press release, calling “ the government to implement it quickly and fully “.
” There were only voluntary departures »
This decision comes on the same day as the resumption of maritime links between Mayotte and the island of Anjouan, in the Comoros. They had been suspended for three weeks because of a standoff between France and the Comoros over the expulsion of Comorians in an irregular situation. Each year, nearly 25,000 Comorians in an irregular situation are deported from Mayotte to the port of Mutsamudu.
► To read also: Mayotte: Comoros President Azali Assoumani asks France for “a pause” in its expulsion plan
Moroni’s government had warned on Monday that it would only welcome illegal Comorians who volunteered to return home. And aboard the Maria Galante, the ship in charge of rotations between the two islands, ” there were only voluntary departures Wednesday, Comorian government spokesman Houmed Msaidie told AFP.
Operation Wuambushu, denounced as ” brutal », « anti-poor and violating the rights of migrants by a number of associations, however, arouses enormous hope within the Mahoran population, exasperated by the delinquency which is exploding on the island. For more than ten days, residents, gathered in groups of citizens, have been demonstrating almost daily. They are also blocking many health centers such as the Mamoudzou hospital center or that of Dzoumogné, in the north of Mayotte.
A few dozen members of these collectives were notably present in Daoudzi when boarding the Maria Galanta to demand a stronger resumption of evictions. “ They are only twenty on board, but it’s already a start “, Safina Soula, the president of the collective of citizens of Mayotte 2018, rejoiced.
(With AFP)