Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a new policy during a visit to Mayotte on Wednesday, August 26. France will condition development aid on better cooperation against illegal immigration. Seven African countries are affected: Comoros, Burundi, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Somalia, and Kenya. Lecornu asked the Foreign Ministry to start implementing the plan in 2026. A broader rollout would follow in 2027.
The Prime Minister assured that direct humanitarian aid would not be cut. The new system would adjust aid based on several factors. These include the fight against smugglers, issuing consular laissez-passers, and returning undocumented migrants. Lecornu said it is normal to give more to countries that cooperate on migration.
The announcement has drawn criticism from all sides.
A Mayotte deputy from the Liot party called it “political communication.” She said aid conditionality already exists in agreements with Comoros. Comoros is the main source of migrants. She also criticised the government for not dismantling a migrant camp where over a thousand asylum seekers live in poor conditions.
The left strongly condemned the measure. A France Insoumise deputy accused Lecornu of adopting far-right ideas. He called the move “absolutely unacceptable.” He argued that people flee poverty, hunger, war, and climate crises. The response, he said, should be welcoming policies and diplomacy.
The far right criticised the measure too, but for different reasons. A Reconquête MEP said it is time to eliminate development aid altogether. He argued that French taxpayers’ money should not be spent this way.
NGOs also denounced the policy. An advocacy officer said aid is meant for international solidarity. He argued that using it for political calculations will reduce its effectiveness. He added that it will not help beneficiary countries become more independent.
An Oxfam France advocacy officer said he doubts the policy will affect migration. He said he has never seen aid levels change the number of departures to France. He concluded that the goal is to use aid as a diplomatic weapon.
Reference
RFI, “La France veut conditionner l’aide au développement pour sept pays africains à la lutte contre l’immigration à Mayotte,” published August 26, 2026. https://www.rfi.fr/fr/france/20260826-la-france-veut-conditionner-l-aide-au-d%C3%A9veloppement-pour-sept-pays-africains-%C3%A0-la-lutte-contre-l-immigration-%C3%A0-mayotte