The Republic of Independent Guiana (), commonly referred to by the name of the capital Counani (rendered "Cunani" in Portuguese), was a short-lived

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Republic (1886–1891)

The borders between

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

and the

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were not clear. Attempts at negotiations failed, and in 1862, it was decided that the area between the

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and the Oyapock rivers was a neutral territory. Paul Quartier, who had previously visited the territory in 1883, returned in 1885 and had a meeting with the village chiefs of Counani and Carsewenne (nowadays: Calçoene) who were hostile to the Brazilians. Quartier signed a treaty on 23 July 1886, creating the country of ''Counani'' in the disputed area. A government was set up in Counani led by Jules Gros as President, Guigues as Minister of State and Quartier as

Quartermaster Quartermaster is a military term, the meaning of which depends on the country and service. In land army, armies, a quartermaster is an officer who supervises military logistics, logistics and requisitions, manages stores or barracks, and distri ...

. They set about recruiting settlers, and according to ''Le Gaulois'', received over 3,000 requests. Both France and Brazil did not like what was happening and released a joint statement on 11 September 1887 stating that the Republic of Counani was not recognized. Gros was later deposed by his officials, and the death of Gros in 1891 resulted in the end of the short lived first Republic. In 1894, gold was discovered in the Calçoene River, which resulted in a declaration of another autonomous state under Brazilian protection by general Francisco Cabral. In May 1895, Cabral arrested the village chief of Calçoene who had changed sides to the French. Camille Charvein, the Governor of French Guiana, sent troops to Mapá (nowadays:

Amapá Amapá (; ) is one of the 26 federative units of Brazil, states of Brazil. It is in the North Region, Brazil, North Region of Brazil. It is Federative units of Brazil#List, the second-least populous state and the eighteenth-largest state by area ...

), and forced Cabral to retreat. 6 French, alongside 30 Brazilian soldiers and civilians, were killed during the battle, with an additional 60 French casualties. In 1897, France and Brazil asked Switzerland to settle the dispute, and most of the territory of the former state of Counani was given to Brazil in what is nowadays the state of Amapá.

Free State of Counani (1901–1904)

In 1901 a Frenchman named Adolphe Brezet proclaimed himself "Président de l'État libre de Counani". According to newspaper articles based on Brezet's statements, he was elected democratically in 1901. This "special" State had a constitution, a flag and issued some stamps. It was never recognized by Brazil or France, but the

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n Boer Republics opened diplomatic relations with Brezet (who had fought for them previously) during the

Boer Wars The military history of South Africa chronicles a vast time period and complex events from the dawn of history until the present time. It covers civil wars and wars of aggression and of self-defence both within South Africa and against it. It i ...

. In 1904, Japan and Russia asked for vessels which Brezet didn't have, and thus exposed himself to France and Brazil. Nevertheless he claimed to be a president until 1911 when he was exiled to London. In 1913, he claimed support of the British navy in a plan to recapture Counani.

Claimants of Head of State

* Jules Gros (1829–1891) – a French journalist who laid claim as head of state from 1887 to 1891; he was Secretary of the

Société de géographie The Société de Géographie (; ), is the world's oldest geographical society. It was founded in 1821 as the first Geographic Society. Since 1878, its headquarters have been at 184 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris. The entrance is marked by two gig ...

in 1883 * - a Brazilian general (1894-1895) * Adolphe Brezet - a French military officer (1901–1904)

References

Citations

Sources

*
"Annales d'hygiène et de médecine coloniale, Tome quatrième"
(1901), about the sanitary situation in Counani, pp. 121 to 128
p. 121p. 122p. 123p. 124p. 125p. 126p. 127p. 128
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Guyana, Republic of Independent First Brazilian Republic Former countries in South America Former unrecognized countries Guiana French colonization of the Americas

Republic of Independent Guyana The Republic of Independent Guiana (), commonly referred to by the name of the capital Counani (rendered "Cunani" in Portuguese), was a short-lived List of states with limited recognition, unrecognized state in South America. Republic (1886–18 ...

States and territories established in 1886 States and territories disestablished in 1891 Amapá