1974 Ellice Islands self-determination referendum 1974 Ellice Islands self-determination referendum A referendum on separating from the Gilbert Islands was held in the Ellice Islands (then administered together as the Gilbert and Ellice Islands) between July and September 1974. A rolling ballot was used, starting in July in Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands before being taken to each resident of the Ellice Islands. The result was 92.8% of voters in favour of separation. In October the following year the islands were officially separated, and four years after the referendum, the islands became the independent nation of Tuvalu, whilst the Gilbert Islands became Kiribati. Voter turnout was
History of the Comoros (1978–89) History of the Comoros (1978–89) The Comoros is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa. France first established colonial rule in the Comoros in 1841. Agreement was reached with France in 1973 for the Comoros to become independent in 1978. On July 6, 1975, but the Comorian parliament passed a unilateral resolution declaring independence. The deputies of Mayotte, which remained under French control, abstained. Referendums on all four of the islands excluding Mayotte showed strong support for independence. Ahmed Abdallah proclaimed the Comoros' independence on September 5, 1975 and became its first president.