John Irish

PARIS (Reuters). – France’s minister for foreign territories will meet with Caribbean island leaders starting Sunday. This is as part of the government’s efforts to ease tensions following more than a week in turmoil over its handling of COVID-19.

Before the official from Minister Sebastian Lecornu spoke to Reuters, he said that while he doesn’t believe we will be returning to Paris with the entire crisis resolved, but if the group takes small steps and works methodically it can calm the situation and allow for constructive dialogue between all actors.

The plan to make compulsory vaccinations mandatory for all health workers in Guadeloupe and Martinique fueled a feeling among majority Black Guadeloupeans that they were being marginalized and excluded from the mainland. However, the exact same measures had been implemented on the mainland.

This issue has sparked protests as well as fanned grievances about Parisian living standards. Protesters insist that they have the right to choose their health care.

The government delayed the vaccination requirement for public sector workers in the islands on Friday. However, local officials demanded that more communication be had with the central government.

Guadeloupe has seen protests begin more than one week ago. The history of mistrust in Guadeloupe’s government management of crises health after people were repeatedly exposed to toxic pesticides from banana plantations back in 1970s.

But, on Saturday, Martinique unions reached an agreement with state officials and local officials in order to discuss key issues, including youth, transport and health.

Recent violence saw shops being looted, and officers shot. Curfews helped to restore calm after these events.

Lecornu indicated that on Saturday, the government was open to discussions about autonomy for the island.

It’s not considered a curse word by the Republic. French Polynesia today is independent with its own laws. The minister therefore is open to the discussion,” said the official.