Mayotte votes to become department

MAYOTTE, an island between the north-west of Madagascar and the east African coast, will become France’s 101st department after a massive “yes” vote from the islanders.

Ninety-five per cent of the islanders voted in a referendum at the weekend to become a fully-fledged part of France as opposed to the current vague “overseas collectivity” status.

In 2011 it will join the four existing départements d'outre-mer, Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Réunion.

President Sarkozy said that some of the Mahorais people had been expressing a wish for this for 50 years. “This is a historic moment for Mayotte and the Mahorais. It is a dream that several generations have had, that has become a reality on this March 29, 2009.”