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Article: African islands say 'oui' to France: the population of the tiny archipelago of Mayotte has chosen to bid a political 'adieu' to the Comoros and a rousing 'bonjour' to France in a referendum that will wed them forever to La republique. Report by Tom Nevin.(MAYOTTE)
- Article from:
- African Business
- Article date:
- May 1, 2009
- Author:
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Voters on Mayotte, a tiny island group in the Indian Ocean, have opted to become a fully fledged part of France. Nearly 96% of the poll wants to turn Mayotte into a departement of France even though that means the end of local traditions such as polygamy and Islamic courts. The change of status will require the island to align itself with French law.
Mayotte, 400km east of Mozambique and 300km west of Madagascar, is in the Comoros archipelago, but voted against independence in referendums in 1974 and 1976.
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Instead it maintained a 'collectivity' association with Paris, with a status allowing legal differences from the ...