Mayotte
Demolitions of neighbourhoods undertaken by France in its overseas department Mayotte
Paola Perrin de Brichambaut, MARA
The investigation examines the large scale demolitions of neighbourhoods undertaken by France in its overseas department Mayotte between 2019 and August 2025 under the law ‘ELAN’ (Evolution in housing, urban planning and digital technology). It establishes that at least 3 884 homes were destroyed, displacing an estimate of 17 478 persons. The investigation identifies a multitude of violations to the law in the execution of these demolitions, in particular the French state’s systematic disregard for its obligation to propose adapted rehousing to the displaced. This malpractice was then officialised through the ‘Refound Mayotte’ law which came into force in August 2025 and allows French authorities to derogate from their obligation to rehouse the displaced until 2032.
See video here
See Investogation in Le Monde
The investigation examines the large scale demolitions of neighbourhoods undertaken by France in its overseas department Mayotte between 2019 and August 2025 under the law ‘ELAN’ (Evolution in housing, urban planning and digital technology). It establishes that at least 3 884 homes were destroyed, displacing an estimate of 17 478 persons. The investigation identifies a multitude of violations to the law in the execution of these demolitions, in particular the French state’s systematic disregard for its obligation to propose adapted rehousing to the displaced. This malpractice was then officialised through the ‘Refound Mayotte’ law which came into force in August 2025 and allows French authorities to derogate from their obligation to rehouse the displaced until 2032.
See video here
See Investogation in Le Monde