“The government has heard the aspirations and demands of the Guianese,” French Interior Minister Matthias Fekl said at a joint press conference with overseas territories minister Ericka Bareigts. The proposals include investments in health, education and infrastructure, and the deployment of extra police and construction of a prison. “With another system, we could decide for ourselves what is good for us,” rather than “asking permission for everything” from France, collective member Davy Rimane told AFP. In a referendum in January 2010, French Guiana voted firmly against autonomy. “But this crisis is the expression of the failure of this referendum,” said Gauthier Horth, another member of the collective.

Source: Manila Times April 02, 2017 03:56 UTC