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Mayotte hopes to establish an air and sea link to Mozambique soon – Ben Issa Ousseni, President of the Departmental Council
5:11 CAT | 01 Nov 2024
Photo: Outremers360°
The third Monitoring Committee of the INTERREG VI Mozambique Channel program was held in Milibangalala, Mozambique, on October 28 and 29, under the chairmanship of the President of the Departmental Council of Mayotte, Ben Issa Ousseni.
The event allowed the Mayotte delegation to meet with the authorities, elected officials and stakeholders of the host country. For the President of the Mayotte Departmental Council, new perspectives are opening up for Mayotte, with an ambitious agenda aimed, in particular, at strengthening air and sea services.
Will the third Monitoring Committee of the INTERREG VI Mozambique Channel program mark a turning point for Mayotte? This is what the Mahoran delegation seems to be saying, after several days in Mozambique. The program, supported by the European Union, aims to encourage cooperation between the territories of the channel to jointly address the challenges of economic development, environmental protection and improving connections.
For Ben Issa Ousseni, more than just a step in the collaboration process, this third committee reflects the territory’s desire to consolidate its integration into the region.
“This is the first time that this committee has been held outside of Mayotte,” he told Outremers360. “This is a positive assessment that we are drawing up after several days of meetings and discussions, and we hope that other territories, such as Tanzania or soon the Seychelles, will join us so that we can possibly organize the next committee in one of these territories.”
The choice of Mozambique, at the request of local authorities, illustrates a desire to realize common development ambitions.
“There was a lack of knowledge about our territory,” emphasizes the President of the Departmental Council, “but today, our neighbours are discovering who we are, our history, and this shared origin with Mozambique, where most of our ancestors come from. This recognition is encouraging for the future.”
Towards a strengthened regional service
Mayotte’s connectivity to the heart of its region has been at the heart of discussions in recent days. This third session of the INTERREG VI Mozambique Channel program made it possible to discuss concrete projects to bring the island closer to potential partners, in particular by considering a direct air link with Mozambique.
“This is something that could happen very quickly,” confirms Ben Issa Ousseni. “Air service is a vital priority for Mayotte. It could transform our economy, open up our trade and make Mayotte a bridge between Europe and the Indian Ocean. Air players, such as LAM, the Mozambican airline, are considering this connection. We hope to create an air and sea line between Mayotte and Mozambique very soon.”
Indeed, in addition to the air link, the issue of a sea link was also at the centre of the discussions. This initiative would facilitate trade in agricultural and fishing products, thus strengthening the food security and autonomy of Mayotte. “With this sea service, Mayotte could receive fresh products from Mozambique and other neighbouring countries,” Ben Issa Ousseni noted.
Regulatory issues nevertheless remain a major challenge. Ben Issa Ousseni reiterates the need to adopt European standards to facilitate these agricultural trades. “It is crucial to work with the French and European authorities to adapt the standards in order to facilitate imports. Our standards must be adapted to meet health requirements without penalizing trade. It is a question of finding a balance that allows Mayotte to import essential agricultural products, without compromising the safety of our population, of course.”
A busy agenda to realize ambitions
In the coming weeks and months, several key meetings will help realize this vision of regional connectivity
As early as November, Mayotte could welcome a delegation from Mozambique on the occasion of the inauguration of the Mayotte Technopole and the holding of the new edition of the Indian Ocean Economic Forum.
This forum should be followed, in December, by a visit of the Mayotte delegation to Tanzania, intended to expand cooperation in the Mozambique Channel and consolidate existing ties. “We are working actively with Tanzania, even if this has yet to be concretized,” recalls the President of the Department. A delegation is to go there in December to continue this work.
This strategy also envisages the longer-term prospects for Mayotte. Ben Issa Ousseni does not hide his ambitions to make the island a key player in regional development, particularly with the exploration of opportunities offered by the Mozambican gas sector.
“We want Mayotte to become a solid rear base for this gas project, and we are preparing for it by multiplying cooperation actions. Making Mayotte known, making it accepted in the region, is also in this anticipation that will allow us to be operational, when the time comes,” the departmental president insists.
All these discussions will continue in a few days in Mayotte, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Mayotte Technopole on Monday, November 4, as well as on November 5, 6 and 7, during the 14th edition of the Economic Forum of the Indian Ocean Islands.
By Abby Said Adinani
Source: Outremers360°
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