Emmanuel Macron visited the village of Camopi in the forest near Guyane on March 25, 2024, as part of a two-day visit to the French overseas department. The Guyanese population did not seem particularly interested in the President’s visit, with those who threatened to express their anger not being followed, and the indifferent setting a tone of lukewarm reception. Macron spent thirty-six hours in the territory before heading to Brazil for a few days.
This visit was seen by some as too short and by others as unnecessary, with some describing it as a mere “fuel stop” or obligatory layover. Macron had previously visited Guyane in October 2017 after a major social movement in the region, where he had endorsed the “Guyane emergency plan”. A recent report by the Court of Auditors revealed that the state had fulfilled its financial commitments, but Macron’s comment at the time, “I am not Santa Claus,” had resonated with the people.
The main challenge for Macron was to demonstrate that the state was delivering results in its overseas territories and supporting their development by adapting national norms that were seen as absurd by the local population. Macron claimed that all the commitments made in 2017 had been fulfilled and emphasized the need for collective responsibility and long-term work. However, there were still significant issues, such as illegal gold mining, high levels of poverty, and resource exploitation, that needed to be addressed.
The people of Guyane have high expectations and needs, as reflected in the disappointed vote for Marine Le Pen in the 2022 presidential election. In November 2023, the National Assembly’s mission on the development of the Guyanese territory adopted a report calling for a comprehensive programming law. The territory faces unresolved development issues and critical needs, with poverty affecting over half of the population and resource exploitation threatening French sovereignty.
During his visit, Macron was met with a barrage of questions and demands from the local population. The department is plagued by significant challenges, including poverty, geographical isolation, and resource exploitation. Some areas, such as Maripasoula, are in desperate need of infrastructure development, with a road project that has been pending for decades. Macron promised to finance the remaining 150 kilometers of the road to Apatou, after approving a 32-kilometer section for 29 million euros. Overall, Macron’s visit highlighted the ongoing struggles and aspirations of the people of Guyane, as they seek sustainable development and improved living conditions.
