Locals shout out their grievances as Macron visits Mayotte

MAMOUDZOU: Distraught and angry inhabitants of Mayotte shouted out their grievances to French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, five days after the Indian Ocean archipelago was devastated by a cyclone.

High on their list was the lack of water and food, and the fear of looting.

Macron, visiting the French overseas territory to assess the destruction wrought by Cyclone Chido, said he would extend the trip by a day, so he could inspect remote areas.

And he has declared a national day of mourning for Mayotte on Monday.

Emergency teams were still working at full pace, searching for survivors and supplying desperately needed aid.

“Mister President, nobody feels safe here,” one woman told Macron during his visit to the Mamoudzou hospital centre. “People are fighting over water.” And as Macron talked with hospital workers, one staff member said under her breath: “Two more days and we won´t be able to feed the patients anymore. I´m disgusted.”

One man in the group called the president´s attention to looting, saying thieves could easily enter houses that had had their roofs blown off, despite the nightly curfew.

“Mister President, we fear that this is becoming like Haiti,” a reference to the poverty-stricken, crime-ridden Caribbean country that has been in a state of emergency since March.

Macron listened to the accounts, touching the arm of a woman in tears to comfort her.

“I will do everything in my power so you have water, food and electricity,” he said. His promises were met with a mixed reception, ranging from hope to incredulity.