**Mayotte – French Government Links Development Aid to Cooperation on Irregular Migration**
*Paris, 28 August 2026* – During a two‑day visit to the French overseas department of Mayotte on 26 and 27 August, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a new policy that will tie France’s public development assistance to the level of cooperation that selected African states provide in combating irregular migration.
The proposal, described by the Comorian press as “scandalous blackmail,” would apply a “bonus‑malus” system to seven countries: the Union of the Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Somalia and Kenya. According to the French government, the measure is intended to address a recent rise in arrivals from the Great Lakes region, particularly from the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi.
Lecornu said that the mechanism could be implemented as early as 2026. Under the plan, development aid would be increased for states that demonstrate “effective cooperation” with French authorities in curbing illegal entry, while it would be reduced for those that do not meet the criteria. The exact parameters for evaluating cooperation have not yet been disclosed.
The announcement comes amid heightened political attention on migration issues ahead of the French presidential election scheduled for next year. The Swiss daily *Le Temps* noted that Mayotte has become a “preferred stage for politicians seeking visibility on anti‑migration measures.” The island, the only French department located within the Comorian archipelago, has seen a surge in irregular arrivals in recent months, prompting the French government to intensify its response.
Earlier in the week, former prime minister and conservative presidential candidate Édouard Philippe visited Mayotte, underscoring the island’s growing prominence in the national debate on migration.
Comorian media outlets have criticised the French proposal, labeling it “chantage scandaleux” (scandalous blackmail) and warning that it reduces international cooperation to a tool of pressure. The Union of the Comoros, which shares maritime borders with Mayotte, has expressed concern that the policy could strain bilateral relations and undermine broader development objectives.
The French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs has not provided further details on how the “bonus‑malus” system will be operationalised, nor on the specific metrics that will determine a country’s eligibility for increased or decreased aid.
The proposal is expected to be debated in the French Parliament later this year, where opposition parties are likely to scrutinise the linkage between development assistance and migration control.
Article and image source: courrierinternational.com
