French Guiana Elected Officials Slam “Double Standard” in Autonomy Talks

A Fractured Relationship: Paris and French Guiana’s Ongoing Autonomy Debate

French Guiana President Gabriel Serville has expressed deep frustration and disappointment over what he sees as a “double standard” between his territory and Corsica. While Corsican officials have made significant progress towards autonomy, French Guiana’s elected officials claim they are being ignored by Paris.

The Disparity Between Corsica and French Guiana

According to Serville, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin agreed with Corsican officials on March 12 to revise the Constitution to grant Corsica an autonomous status. This decision comes after a long-standing debate over autonomy for the island. Meanwhile, French Guiana has been pushing for similar recognition since January 2020, but so far, there has been no discussion with Paris on enshrining its new status in the Constitution.

Key Differences:

• Corsica is an island just off the coast of France
• French Guiana is a territory thousands of kilometers away from mainland France

A History of Autonomy Debates

The debate over autonomy in French Guiana has been ongoing since the 1990s, with several referendums and elections taking place over the years. In 2017, the territory’s changing status was enshrined in the “French Guiana Agreement” signed with the government.

What Lies Ahead?

Former Socialist Justice Minister Christiane Taubira agrees with Serville’s assessment: Emmanuel Macron is playing for time. French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit French Guiana on Monday, March 25, where he is expected to tell elected officials that he remains open to an adapted status for the territory.

Questions Remain:

• Will this translate into concrete action?
• Can Paris reconcile its treatment of Corsica and French Guiana?

The situation highlights the long-standing tensions between Paris and French Guiana’s elected officials over autonomy and recognition. As Serville noted, “We’ve reached an impasse. The application of the French system in the Amazon region remains an absurdity, and all sectors of economic life explain that French standards don’t work.”