The Comoros declared an Independent State

Although Portuguese explorer and cartographer Diego Ribero first claimed to have discovered The Comoros in 1505, the islands became a French colony in 1843 following a military takeover of the Mayotte Island. In 1886, the French expanded their reach and colonized Grande Comoros, Anjouan and Moheli to complete the archipelago in the region. After the effects of WWII made it difficult for the French to maintain overseas colonies, the Comoros became an overseas French territory rather than a French colony which would have cost the French more. Internal autonomy was granted to The Comoros in 1961 however this was eventually overruled following a referendum in December 1974 that found that Moheli, Anjouan and Grande Comoros voted to become independent while Mayotte voted to remain under French rule. A resolution passed by The Comoros’ parliament on 6 July 1975 declared independence from the French for all the Comoros islands, including Mayotte Ahmed Abdallah as president of the archipelago. Through French intervention, this resolution was overturned and Mayotte was granted its current status as a French overseas province.