Comoros Civil Registration
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Historical Background
In the 1790s, Malagasy warriors raided the islands of Comoros for slaves and crops. By the 1820s, the population was decimated. Slaves were brought from mainland Africa. These were traded to the French in Mayotte and the Mascarenes. In 1865, slaves were possibly as much as 40% of the population of Comoros.
In 1841, France gained control of the Comoros. Ships from Portugal, England, and the United States often stopped in Comoros.
French settlers, French-owned companies, and wealthy Arab merchants established a plantation-based economy that used about one-third of the land for export crops. After its annexation, France converted Mayotte into a sugar plantation colony. The other islands were soon transformed as well...
1886 to 1912, part or all of Comoros, was under French protection. In 1912, Comoros became of province of Madagascar
In 1975, Comoros gained its independence from France.
"Agreement was reached with France in 1973 for the Comoros to become independent in 1978, despite the deputies of Mayotte voting for increased integration with France. A referendum was held on all four of the islands. Three voted for independence by large margins, while Mayotte voted against, and remains under French administration. On 6 July 1975, however, the Comorian parliament passed a unilateral resolution declaring independence."[1]