Comoros slams France over aid-for-migration threat

In a contentious exchange over development aid, Comorian foreign minister Mohamed Mbae has denounced French prime minister Sebastien Lecornu's remarks as "unbearably condescending." Lecornu had suggested that aid to the Comoros and six other African nations could be contingent upon their cooperation in curbing irregular migration.

The comments were made during Lecornu's two-day visit to Mayotte, an island that remains disputed between France and the Union of Comoros. The prime minister argued that aid should be tied to the countries' ability to repatriate undocumented migrants and their involvement in combating people-smuggling. However, Mbae argued that Lecornu's statement was "surprising" and "out of context" with regard to the needs of the island of Mayotte, which was severely affected by Cyclone Chido in 2024.

The island's population is heavily composed of foreign nationals, many of whom migrated to Mayotte in search of better economic opportunities. Comorian officials have vowed to reject any aid that comes with such conditions, citing the ongoing dispute over French sovereignty over Mayotte.