France, July 6 -- The Comoros marks 50 years of independence from France on Sunday but an ongoing territorial dispute over the island of Mayotte - a former part of the Comorian archipelago which chose to remain part of France - hangs heavy over the celebrations.

Geographically, the Comorosarchipelago in the Indian Ocean is made up of four islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, Moheli and Mayotte. The first three gained independence from France in 1975, but Mayotte remained under French control - a status that Comorian authorities have never accepted.

Bound by historical, cultural, economic and family ties,many Comorians consider the return of Mayottea national cause. "Mayotte is Comorian," successive governments have insisted. Yet critics arg...