**Mayotte: The Challenge of Reconstruction Beyond Infrastructure**
Cyclone Chido, which hit Mayotte on December 14, 2024, left behind devastated landscapes and disrupted lives. As a bill for the reconstruction of the archipelago is presented to the Council of Ministers, it is crucial to analyze not only the content of this text, but also the implications it will have on the future of this often neglected region and its inhabitants.
**A Bill with Ambiguous Objectives**
The bill presented on January 8, 2025 aims to allow exemptions from urban planning rules for a period of two years, in order to facilitate the reconstruction of schools, infrastructure and housing. However, this approach seems to focus primarily on the speed of reconstruction, at the risk of reproducing the urbanization patterns already criticized in Mayotte. Elected officials, including Mansour Kamardine and Estelle Youssouffa, point to a major shortcoming: the issue of shanty towns, which continues to be a source of instability and precariousness for a significant part of the population.
At first glance, the exemption from urban planning regulations might seem to be an adequate response to the urgent need. In reality, the phenomenon could deepen inequalities in housing. According to INSEE statistics, nearly 60% of Mahorais live in precarious housing conditions. The absence of a clear strategy to tackle shanty towns could thus perpetuate this cycle of precariousness.
**Political Voluntarism and the Limits of Efficiency**
In parallel with this emergency bill, Matignon announced the drafting of a program law that should address more structural issues, such as immigration and security. This dual approach, although forward-looking, is part of a dynamic where urgency sometimes seems to take precedence over long-term planning. The available data indicate that an integrated approach, which does not focus solely on physical reconstruction, but also on social, economic and environmental challenges, would be more beneficial for the inhabitants.
The territorialization of such a reconstruction could inspire international examples. Taking the emergency case of the reconstruction of Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, forgetting vulnerable populations led to projects that ultimately left inequalities intact. The main lesson learned from this disaster is that it is not enough to rebuild structures; it is also necessary to rebuild the social and economic fabric on which communities rely.
**A Reflection on Local Investments and Decentralization**
If the reconstruction of infrastructure is necessary, it must imperatively be accompanied by a reflection on the place of local actors in the process. The idea that Mayotte entrepreneurs, as requested by MP Youssouffa, should be given priority for reconstruction contracts is essential. This approach would not only promote a resilient local economy, but also anchor the project in the daily reality of the Mahorais.
In this dynamic, we could examine the practices of other regions such as Guadeloupe or Réunion, where significant efforts have been made to encourage the involvement of local businesses in reconstruction projects after natural disasters. The involvement of the local community, beyond a simple consultation, could also strengthen the legitimacy and effectiveness of government actions on the ground.
**In Conclusion: A Call for Collective Mobilization**
The bill for the reconstruction of Mayotte should not be seen solely from the perspective of exemptions and speed of execution. It is also a unique opportunity to establish a solid, sustainable and inclusive framework in which the local population can flourish. Transforming challenges into opportunities requires collective mobilization, where each actor, from official authorities to residents, plays an active role.
Faced with ongoing societal challenges and the fragility of infrastructure, it seems essential that the government commits not only to rebuilding, but also to considering a real revitalization of Mayotte. By placing the needs of the Mahorais at the heart of concerns, it would be possible to initiate a real change that would go well beyond the simple repair of buildings and roads. This, and not just exemptions and administrative battles, could offer a real future to the archipelago.