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Mayotte votes on ties with France Mayotte backs French connection
(about 12 hours later)
The Indian Ocean island of Mayotte is holding a referendum on Sunday on whether to become a fully-fledged overseas department of France. The people on the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte have voted overwhelmingly in favour of it becoming an integral part of France.
The vote has caused controversy in the region, because the Comoros have always laid claim to the island. The French Interior Ministry said the vote was more than 95% in favour.
It looks as though Mayotte will now opt for even closer ties with Paris. The result had been widely predicted, with supporters of the move pointing out the economic gains available.
Geographically it is part of the Comoros archipelago, but in the 1970s it voted to remain tied to France as part of an "overseas collectivity". The referendum has caused controversy in the region, because the Comoros have always laid claim to Mayotte, which the African Union considers part of Africa.
The Comoran vice-president said the vote was a declaration of war.
Geographically, Mayotte is part of the Comoros archipelago, but in the 1970s it voted to remain tied to France as part of an "overseas collectivity".
While many African countries were fighting for independence, the people of Mayotte resisted separation from France.While many African countries were fighting for independence, the people of Mayotte resisted separation from France.
And when the three other islands in the Comoros archipelago became independent in 1975, Mayotte remained part of France.And when the three other islands in the Comoros archipelago became independent in 1975, Mayotte remained part of France.
It has benefited from this decision.
StabilityStability
The Comoros islands probably hold the world record for coups. There have been more than 20 coups and secession attempts since independence, while Mayotte has remained stable. The Comoros islands probably hold the world record for coups, says the BBC's Africa analyst Mary Harper.
There have been more than 20 coups and secession attempts since independence, while Mayotte has remained stable.
It also has a much stronger economy, with a GDP about 10 times higher than that of the Comoros.It also has a much stronger economy, with a GDP about 10 times higher than that of the Comoros.
The Comoran vice president has described the vote as a declaration of war. Despite Mayotte's close ties with France, it would be wrong to see this tiny island of fewer than 200,000 people as a sort of mini-France, our correspondent says.
The African Union is also opposed, because it considers Mayotte to be part of the Comoros and therefore part of Africa.
Despite Mayotte's close ties with France, it would be wrong to see this tiny island of fewer than 200,000 people as a sort of mini-France.
Although French is the official language, only about 50% of the population can read or write it.Although French is the official language, only about 50% of the population can read or write it.
It is a predominantly Muslim country, where polygamy is practiced and girls can marry at the age of 15.It is a predominantly Muslim country, where polygamy is practiced and girls can marry at the age of 15.
All this is set to change if people vote "Yes" in the referendum. All the indications are that they will because they stand to gain a lot in terms of economic benefits.