Breaking the Silence in Corsica

For decades, there was one word that was taboo on the French island of Corsica: 'mafia.' But citizens who could no longer remain silent poured into the streets of Ajaccio and Bastia. Their message was clear.

"The mafia kills, and silence kills too."

Journalist Jacques Follorou's new book, Corsica, Mafia and Anti-Mafia, the result of over 20 years of investigative reporting, sheds light on the invisible war between the French Republic and organized crime. This is not simply a crime chronicle. It is a contemporary historical record showing how a criminal system that took root over a century has come to dominate the entire island, and how state power and citizens are fighting back.

A Criminal Empire with Century-Old Roots

The history of the Corsican mafia runs deep. Initially, it expanded its influence to mainland France and the colonies, then turned Corsica itself into a sanctuary. A parallel power structure emerged, competing with state authority.

Their legitimacy came solely from violence. Protected by networks of influence, they ignored the law and imposed their own rules. There were areas where public authority could not reach, and criminal organizations filled that void.

For all this time, the word 'mafia' itself was forbidden. No one dared speak it aloud. Fear and silence reigned.

The Awakening of Civil Society

The turning point began with citizens' outrage. Corsican residents who could no longer tolerate violence and intimidation raised their voices through street demonstrations. This was a historic moment.

Citizens, judges, police, prefects, and elected officials began speaking with one voice. For the first time, the island and the Republic stood on the same side. The fight to remove a cancer that had been growing for a century had begun.

Author Jacques Follorou began his career in 1993 at the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné. At the time, Corsica was in turmoil from civil war between nationalist groups. Moving to Le Monde in 1996, he covered judicial matters, particularly political financing and international corruption cases.

On February 6, 1998, Prefect Claude Érignac was assassinated in Ajaccio. Follorou subsequently began focusing his investigative efforts on Corsican terrorism and criminal power structures. For more than 20 years, he has not let go of this subject.

The Fight Is Not Over Yet

The book contains both hope and warning. While the anti-mafia movement has begun, victory is far from certain. Criminal organizations remain powerful, and the island stands at a crossroads.

Resist or resign?

This choice may not be Corsica's alone. Across Europe, organized crime is infiltrating legitimate economies, and drug trafficking is growing to record levels. Corsica's struggle can be seen as a microcosm of the larger challenges facing modern democracies.

Follorou's book is filled with portraits and previously unreported revelations. It shows readers the true face of an invisible war. It is the fruit of over 20 years of investigation, and an interim report on a story still unfolding.

Corsica is now at a moment of choice. And that choice will have implications for other parts of Europe as well.