This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7970450.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Mayotte backs French connection | Mayotte backs French connection |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| The people on the Indian Ocean island of Mayotte have voted overwhelmingly in favour of it becoming an integral part 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 French Interior Ministry said the vote was more than 95% in favour. | The French Interior Ministry said the vote was more than 95% in favour. |
| The result had been widely predicted, with supporters of the move pointing out the economic gains available. | The result had been widely predicted, with supporters of the move pointing out the economic gains available. |
| 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 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. | 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". | 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. |
| Stability | Stability |
| The Comoros islands probably hold the world record for coups, says BBC Africa analyst Mary Harper. | |
| There have been more than 20 coups and secession attempts since independence, while Mayotte has remained stable. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. |