COUNTRY INFORMATION |
Introduction |
The archipelago Republic of the Comoros lies off the east African coast, between Mozambique and Madagascar. It consists of three main islands and a number of islets. Most of the population are subsistence farmers. In 1975, the Comoros Islands, except for Mayotte, became independent of France. Since then instability has plagued this poor region, with countless coups and countercoups, and repeated attempts at secession by smaller islands. |
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Climate |
 |
The islands are tropical; it is hot and humid on the coasts and cooler higher up, notably on Mount Kartala. |
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People |
Languages |
Arabic, Comoran, French |
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URBAN/RURAL POPULATION DIVIDE |
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The Comoros has absorbed Polynesians, Africans, Indonesians, Persians, and Arabs over time, as well as immigrants from Portugal, Holland, France, and India. Some communities retain their individual character; for instance, Mwali (Mohéli) is still primarily African. Ethnic tension is rare, partly owing to the unifying force of Islam, the predominant religion. A more potent divisive factor, especially on Anjouan, is regionalism. |
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Economy |
GNP (US$) |
212
|
M |
GNP World rank |
184
|
|
Inflation |
4 |
% |
Unemployment |
20 |
% |
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StrengthsVanilla, ylang-ylang, and cloves are the main cash crops. WeaknessesSubsistence level farming. Over 50% of food requirements imported. Lack of basic infrastructure, especially electricity and transport. Allegations of financial mismanagement. Persistent political instability, hindering growth of tourism. |
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Politics |
Lower house |
Last election |
1996 |
Next election |
2000 (postponed) |
Upper house |
Last election |
Not applicable |
Next election |
Not applicable |
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Attempts to introduce democracy have been consistently undermined by repeated coups. Anjouan declared independence in 1997, since when rival militias have favored either cohabitation with Grande Comore or reattachment to France. Renewed violence in April 1999 provided Col. Assoumani Azzali with the pretext to install himself as Comoran president. In a new "Union of the Comoros" a loose confederation gives each island its own president and legislature, with a federal president having overall authority. Azzali was returned to power unopposed in 2002, although his victory was undermined by low voter turnout. |
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International Affairs |
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France remains the main aid donor, although economic ties with South Africa are strong. The turbulent situation on the war-torn islands forced a visiting OAU assessment team to flee Anjouan in 1999. An army of European mercenaries attempted to take over Mohéli in December 2001. |
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Defence |
Expenditure (US$) |
3 |
M |
Portion of GDP |
No data |
% |
|
Army |
No data |
Navy |
No data |
Airforce |
No data |
Nuclear capab. |
None |
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France and South Africa finance the small presidential guard, the principal security force. Mauritian aid was also sought after clashes on Anjouan. |
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Resources |
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Oil reserves (barrels) |
No data |
Oil production (barrels/day) |
Not an oil producer |
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There are few strategic resources. An HEP plant is under construction on Anjouan, but most fuel for energy is still imported. Fishing remains a neglected source of future growth. |
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Environment |
Protected land |
0 |
% |
Part protected land |
No data |
% |
|
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The environment is not a major priority in the Comoros; natural disasters, such as the volcanic eruption in 1977 which left 20,000 people homeless, are of more immediate concern. The government is promoting tourism and recognizes the long-term commercial value of imposing environmental controls on new developments. |
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Communications |
Main airport |
Moroni-Hahaya, Grande Comore |
Passengers per year |
118565 |
|
Motorways |
0
|
km |
Roads |
673
|
km |
Railways |
0
|
km |
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Recent projects have included the development of the port at Moroni and upgrading the international airport. |
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International Aid |
Donated (US$) |
Not applicable
|
M |
Received (US$) |
19
|
M |
|
Aid, mainly from France, the EU, the World Bank, and the IMF, accounts for over 40% of GDP. Because of its Islamic links, the Comoros also gets aid from Arab states and OPEC. In 1998 major donors attacked the government for spending more than 70% on "political superstructure." |
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Health |
Life expectancy |
60 |
Life expect. World rank |
140 |
Population per doctor |
14000 |
Infant mortality (per 1000 births) |
60 |
|
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Principal causes of death |
Malaria, infectious intestinal and bacterial diseases |
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Health care is rudimentary, other than two maternity clinics and 30 health centers. |
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Education |
Literacy |
60 |
% |
Expend. % GNP |
4 |
%
|
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PERCENTAGE OF POPULATION IN FULL TIME EDUCATION |
|
Primary |
76 |
% |
Secondary |
25 |
% |
Tertiary |
1 |
% |
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There is a very limited education system beyond secondary level. Schools are equipped to teach only basic literacy, hygiene, and agricultural techniques. Pupil–teacher ratios are high. |
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Criminality |
Crime rate trend |
Crime is rising |
|
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Murder |
No data |
per 100,000 population |
Rape |
No data |
per 100,000 population |
Theft |
No data |
per 100,000 population |
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A climate of lawlessness has been created by the continuing power struggles between rival militias – particularly on the island of Anjouan since 1997. |
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Wealth |
Cars |
13 |
per 1,000 population |
Telephones |
10 |
per 1,000 population |
Televisions |
2 |
per 1,000 population |
|
A political and business elite controls most of the wealth. Bridegrooms win social status according to the size of their weddings. Government workers often suffer from wage arrears. |
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Media |
Newspapers |
There are 2 weekly newspapers, the state-owned Al Watwan and the independent La Gazette des Comores |
TV services |
No TV service |
Radio services |
1 state-controlled service, some independent services |
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Tourism |
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In 1988, Sun International of South Africa joined a major project to build four hotels designed to attract 12,000 visitors a year. However, political instability has wrecked the islands' tourism prospects. |
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History |
The Comoros was ruled by matrilineally inherited sultanates until shortly before becoming a French protectorate in 1886. - 1961 Internal self-government.
- 1975 Independence.
- 1978 Mercenaries restore Ahmed Abdallah to power.
- 1989 Abdallah assassinated.
- 1992 Chaotic first multiparty polls.
- 1996 Mohammed Taki Abdoulkarim elected president.
- 1997 Anjouan separatists beat off government troops.
- 1999 Col. Azzali seizes power. Anjouan militias clash.
- 2000 Fomboni declaration signed with Anjouan.
- 2001 Successive coups on Anjouan.
- 2002 Constitution approved and elections held; Azzali returned to power.
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