Comoros Islands

Comoros has struggled to establish a stable government since independence from its former colonial power, France. French forces took over the Indian Ocean island-nation in 1886 and made it a fully fledged colony 26 years later. The country was the scene of battles during World War II, when British forces ousted the government, which was loyal to the France's Nazi-backed Vichy administration. The British handed the islands to Charles de Gaulle's Free French Forces.

Over the next three decades, the islands gradually loosened ties with Paris, becoming an overseas territory before declaring independence in 1975. But the separation from France was not smooth. One of the islands, Mayotte, did not join the other three main islands in embracing independence. Its 200,000 people - roughly a quarter of the Comoran population - voted to stay a part of France in 1975 as an "overseas collectivity". Earlier this year they voted in a referendum to fully integrate with France. The vote caused huge tensions within the island grouping - with one Comoran official describing it as a declaration of war.

The three main islands making up the Union of the Comoros - Anjouan, Moheli and Grande Comore - believe Mayotte should be part of their country. But the people of Mayotte believe they have powerful reasons for remaining a part of France. Firstly, Mayotte's economy hugely outperforms its near neighbours.And secondly, Mayotte has avoided the recent history of coups and instability that have blighted the other islands.Since independence, Comoros has experienced about 20 coups. Its first post-colonial government was deposed just a month after it declared independence.