Monday February 3, 2025
Somali migrants wait near a processing center after arriving in Mayotte, a French-administered island off the African coast. Many have been stranded following false promises by human smugglers of legal entry into Europe, facing homelessness and the threat of deportation. Credit: REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Mogadishu (HOL) — Hundreds of Somali migrants stranded on the French-administered island of Mayotte are grappling with homelessness, food shortages, and deportation threats after being deceived by smugglers who promised them a pathway to Europe. What began as a hopeful journey to a better life has turned into a harsh struggle for survival, marked by homelessness, food shortages, and increasing risks.
Last year, human smugglers began advertising what they called “dream migration packages,” offering Somalis a route to Europe that bypassed the more dangerous Sahara Desert and Libyan routes. Instead, migrants were promised safe passage to Mayotte, where they could allegedly obtain legal documentation to travel to France.
Farhan and others have taken to social media to warn others about the risks of trusting smugglers. In one TikTok video, Farhan urged, “Stop deceiving people with promises of homes and monthly stipends. Look at the reality—people are sleeping on cardboard mats.”
Most Somali migrants on the island depend on financial assistance sent by their families in Somalia. Farhan estimated that approximately 600 Somalis live in Mayotte, struggling to survive.
Migrants typically start their journey in Kenya, where they are kept in forested areas near Mombasa for several days before being smuggled by boat to Mayotte. The cost of the trip ranges between $5,500 and $7,000 per person.
The journey is fraught with danger. In November 2024, two boats carrying Somali migrants capsized off the coast of Madagascar after experiencing engine failures. At least 22 people drowned, while local fishermen rescued 48 survivors. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) expressed deep concern over the tragedy, urging action to address the increasing dangers of maritime migration. The Somali government also issued a statement of condolence, mourning the loss of life.
Mayotte, situated 70 kilometres from the Comoros Islands, is home to about 300,000 people and remains relatively impoverished despite being under French control. In a 2009 referendum, the island’s residents voted to remain part of France, making it the 101st French-administered territory.
The situation worsened after Cyclone Chido struck Mayotte in December, causing severe damage. Many migrants, speaking to MigrantInfo, reported being homeless, lacking food, and struggling to access clean water.
The influx of migrants has fueled tensions with local residents, leading to protests and accusations that newcomers have contributed to rising crime rates. In October 2024, France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced plans to organize deportation flights, targeting migrants primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to official reports, Mayotte currently hosts about 150,000 migrants, nearly half the island’s total population. Many arrive on small boats known as Kwasa Kwassa, often departing from the Comoros Islands or mainland Africa.
Farhan has taken to social media to warn others about the risks of the journey. In a TikTok video, he urged migrants not to trust smugglers. “Stop deceiving people with promises of homes and monthly stipends. Look at the reality—people are sleeping on cardboard mats,” he said.
French authorities deport around 25,000 migrants from Mayotte each year, according to French media reports.
- With files from the BBC Somali Service
