“Maore Farantsa”: the self-determination of Mayotte to become a département of France

Abstract

The small Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, a French colony since 1843, rejected independence as part of a four-island Comores in 1975. Instead, the island’s people insisted upon a desire first voiced in 1958 to become a département of France, thus integrating into the erstwhile colonial power. This was considered by many, including the United Nations General Assembly, to be contrary to international law. This thesis examines the causes, the circumstances and the relevant law, both international and French, and argues that the départementalisation of Mayotte was not, in all likelihood, illegal by the law of the time, and is now, correctly, not seen in these terms. The thesis argues that while previous discussion has centred upon the relations of France and the Republic (now Union) of Comores, an examination with Mayotte at its centre and with self-determination and small island theory as prime themes, will give a more nuanced view of the complex relationships and their standing in law. The thesis emphasises the significance of the Affaire Mayotte to scholars and analysts of the Anglophone world, where it is largely unknown.