French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced the proposal on August 26, 2026, during a two-day visit to Mayotte, saying France intends to introduce a “bonus-malus” mechanism under which development aid would be tied to countries’ cooperation on migration-related issues.
The countries identified under the proposed framework are Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Comoros, Somalia and Kenya.
Lecornu said he had asked France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to develop a framework for the initiative, with implementation expected to begin in 2026 and be strengthened in 2027.
Under the proposed system, countries demonstrating cooperation in tackling migration challenges, combating human trafficking networks and accepting the return of their nationals from Mayotte could receive increased development assistance.
“It is normal for a country to receive more when it plays a role in meeting our expectations regarding migration,” Lecornu said.
He stressed, however, that humanitarian assistance to countries from which migrants originate would not be affected, with the proposed mechanism focusing primarily on development aid.
Matthieu Paris, from CCFD-Terre Solidaire, a civil society organisation, said development assistance should serve as a tool for cooperation rather than a means of exerting pressure on other countries.
Mayotte, a French-administered island in the Indian Ocean, has for years faced challenges related to irregular migration, particularly from neighbouring countries and other parts of East Africa.
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