Muslim Island Mayotte Votes Itself Into The Arms Of France

Muslim island Mayotte votes itself into the arms of France

Charles Bremner
From The Times
March 30, 2009

Mayotte—Voters in the tiny island of Mayotte, between Madagascar and Mozambique, voted to become a fully fledged part of the French Republic.

The island will be transformed in 2011 from the present loosely administered French collectivity into Frances 101st dpartement and its fifth overseas.

The 186,000-strong, mainly Muslim, population will eventually enjoy the same social benefits as mainland France, but also pay its taxes.

The French Government, for its part, will have to deal with problems such as massive illegal immigration to the island and widespread polygamy.