Macron begins 5-day Indian Ocean tour with visit to cyclone-hit Mayotte

ISTANBUL

French President Emmanuel Macron began a five-day tour of the Indian Ocean on Monday with a visit to Mayotte, four months after Cyclone Chido devastated the French overseas department.

Macron landed in Mamoudzou, the capital of Mayotte, early in the morning alongside his wife Brigitte, according to the French broadcaster BFMTV.

Speaking to reporters upon arrival, he paid tribute to the “resilience of the entire Mahoran people" who, he said, had "withstood extremely difficult conditions" in the aftermath of the cyclone that killed 40 people and caused €3.5 billion (nearly $4 billion) in damage on Dec. 14, 2024.

"Much has been done in recent months to restore basic services," Macron said, noting that emergency efforts had reestablished access to water, electricity, and telecommunications.

"But I also know how much remains to be consolidated," he added.

He also announced the introduction of a long-awaited draft law aimed at rebuilding the archipelago.

The legislation, to be presented during a special Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Macron from the presidential plane en route to Reunion Island, includes measures to tackle illegal immigration, housing issues, and insecurity, and boost the local economy.

"We responded to the immediate emergency. Now I am here to assess what has been done well, what has not been done well enough, and to give new momentum," Macron said.

The bill follows the adoption of an emergency law in February, including temporary relaxations in urban planning rules and tax incentives to accelerate reconstruction.

During his 10-hour stay in Mayotte, Macron will meet with residents, agricultural workers, and elected officials.

Macron’s visit to Mayotte is the first stop on his tour of the southwest Indian Ocean. He will also visit Reunion, Madagascar, and Mauritius.