Between 2019 and 2025, Mayotte's prefecture destroyed nearly 4,000 illegal homes, potentially displacing over 17,000 people. A Le Monde analysis uncovers numerous irregularities in these operations. Authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
Mayotte's prefecture issued 52 orders between 2019 and 2025 mandating the evacuation and demolition of illegal constructions. Official figures show 3,884 homes were razed from June 2019 to July 2025. Drawing on 2017 Insee estimates of an average 4.5 people per metal-sheet dwelling, these demolitions may have displaced more than 17,000 individuals.
Le Monde compiled data from these often incomplete prefectural decisions, cross-referencing it with testimonies, satellite image analyses, and social media posts. The investigation highlights a public policy against illegal housing marred by serious failings, including procedural irregularities.
These operations occur amid broader socio-economic challenges in Mayotte, a French overseas department, where informal housing is widespread due to rapid population growth and land constraints. Despite these efforts, the fight against illegal builds remains plagued by administrative shortcomings, underscoring the state's difficulties in addressing these issues effectively and fairly.
Contacted, Mayotte's prefecture and its institutional partners provided no response, raising questions about the transparency of these actions.
