Eviction notice issued for part of Tsoundzou 2 camp

Residents of part of the Tsoundzou 2 camp have been given 15 days to leave land near the future Mamoudzou Sud wastewater treatment plant, according to an administrative order dated October 26. This notice includes the destruction of several huts along a ten-meter stretch of the construction site’s perimeter.

Residents face overcrowding and poor conditions

The eviction has forced residents to move to the back of the camp, which is already overcrowded and has particularly difficult living conditions. This area is near the Kwalé river and is prone to flooding from tides and heavy rains.

Prefect urges voluntary departure

The prefect of Mayotte, Frédéric Poisot, has asked residents to leave the affected area voluntarily and take their belongings. If they do not, the authorities may organize an evacuation using public forces. The project, led by LEMA and OTV Veolia, cited safety risks and potential delays in construction if the area remained occupied.

Land clearance required for construction

The administrative order states that earthwork and excavation operations require the land to be cleared. The presence of dwellings near construction equipment and trenches poses risks to residents, including children. The order also prohibits any new installations in the affected area.

Mamoudzou Sud plant aims to improve sanitation

The Mamoudzou Sud wastewater treatment plant is designed to treat wastewater from southern neighborhoods, including M'tsapéré and Tsoundzou II. Construction began in May 2025 after over two decades of planning, with an investment of 20 million euros. It is expected to handle the pollution equivalent of 23,500 inhabitants.

Sanitation improvements depend on infrastructure

The new plant will enhance sanitation in the area but will only be effective if households are connected to the sanitation network. Current infrastructure in the south lacks a system comparable to the Baobab plant in the north, which handles wastewater from the northern part of the commune.

Evacuees struggle with flooding and overcrowding

Evacuated residents have moved to the mangrove area, which is already overcrowded and prone to flooding. Blondel Mwadjuma, a representative of the women in the camp, notes that there are no available spaces for new arrivals, making the situation increasingly difficult.

Residents face water and sanitation challenges

Nadine, a 36-year-old mother of four who fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo, describes the challenges of accessing water and sanitation in the camp. With the population approaching 2,000, water taps are insufficient, and disputes over access have arisen. Toilets are also scarce, and food aid has been cut due to funding issues.

Asylum requests in Mayotte decline

Mayotte recorded 1,492 first asylum requests in 2025, a 37.2% decrease from 2024. The French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA) attributes this partly to the closure of its Mamoudzou branch after cyclone Chido, although the decline also aligns with a national trend of fewer asylum requests. Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo made up half of the requests, followed by Somalians and Comorians.