Comoros authorities condemn Lecornu's statements in Mayotte

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's statements on linking development aid to the Comoros with cooperation in combating illegal migration have drawn a strong reaction from Comorian authorities and political forces.

According to Report's European bureau, citing French media, Lecornu said during a visit to the French island of Mayotte that France would introduce new criteria for the Comoros and six other African countries.

He said these would include the countries' ability to cooperate in combating migrant smugglers, issuing consular permits and accepting the return of their citizens residing illegally in France.

"We will establish several new bonus and penalty criteria," Lecornu said, adding that the amount of aid would depend on countries' willingness to cooperate with France on illegal migration.

Comorian Foreign Minister Mohamed Mbaé called the remarks "arrogant" and said they came as a surprise.

"The statements by Mr. Lecornu regarding so-called development aid demonstrate unacceptable arrogance," Mbaé said.

He also said the French prime minister's position was "completely disconnected from the expectations of the population" of Mayotte, citing the need to rebuild the island after Cyclone Chido struck it in December 2024.

Comorian opposition parties and NGOs also criticized Lecornu's statements.

The opposition USHE party called France's proposal "scandalous blackmail," while Comité Maore described it as "unacceptable blackmail," accusing Paris of pursuing a neocolonial policy.

"Claiming to be a 'friend' while continuing the colonial occupation of the Comorian island of Mayotte is hypocrisy," USHE said.

Mayotte has remained a French territory since the other islands of the Comoros archipelago gained independence in 1975. The Comoros claims sovereignty over the island.

Lecornu visited Mayotte on August 26–27 together with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. In addition to linking aid to migration policy, the French government announced plans to strengthen controls on illegal migration using drones, aerial surveillance systems and additional interceptor boats, as well as increasing the military presence.

According to France's INSEE statistics office, Mayotte has a population of about 323,000, a significant portion of whom are foreign nationals.