Afars and Issas independence referendum, 1977
Encyclopedia
An independence referendum was held in the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
on 8 May 1977 alongside an election
for a Constituent Assembly. Unlike the rigged 1958
and 1967
plebiscites, this time the choice of independence from France
was backed by 99.8% of voters, with a 77.7% turnout. The territory became independent as Djibouti
on 27 June 1977.
French Territory of the Afars and the Issas
The French Territory of Afars and Issas was the name given to present-day Djibouti between 1967 and 1977, while it was still a colony of France...
on 8 May 1977 alongside an election
Afars and Issas Constituent Assembly election, 1977
An election for the Constituent Assembly was held in the French Territory of the Afars and Issas on 8 May 1977 alongside a referendum on independence. The elections were boycotted by the National Union for Independence and the Popular Liberation Movement, resulting in the People's Rally for...
for a Constituent Assembly. Unlike the rigged 1958
French Somaliland overseas territory referendum, 1958
An independence referendum was held in French Somaliland in September 1958, on the eve of neighboring Somalia's independence in 1960, to decide whether or not to join the Somali Republic or to remain with France.-History:...
and 1967
French Somaliland independence referendum, 1967
An independence referendum was held in French Somaliland on 19 March 1967. It was ordered by then President of France, General Charles de Gaulle, in response to rioting and demonstrations upon an official visit he made to the territory the year before....
plebiscites, this time the choice of independence from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
was backed by 99.8% of voters, with a 77.7% turnout. The territory became independent as Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
on 27 June 1977.
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Independence | 80,864 | 99.8 |
| Remain a territory in the French Republic | 199 | 0.2 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 784 | |
| Total | 81,847 | 100 |
| Source: Nohlen et al. | ||