ocr: The French claimed - the islands in 1756.French-British rivalry for control ended when France ceded them to the UK in 1815. - 1952 Political parties formed,ledby F.A.René pro-ndependence) andJames Mancham pro-UK rule). 1965 UK returns Desroches, Aldabra andFarquhar islands, which are leasedto USAt to 197b. - 1976 Independence. Coalition with Mancham president, René premier. US trackang station set up on Mahé. - - 1977 René takes over in coup. - - - 1979 Une-party socialist state. 1979-1987 Several coup attempts. 1992 Politicians in exile return. 1993 Democratic elections.
