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Union des Comores
Udzima wa Komori
الاتحاد القمري

Union of the Comoros

Federation
Flag Coat of arms
Motto
Unité, Solidarité, Développement
Unity, Solidarity, Development
Anthem
Udzima wa ya Masiwa
The Unity of the Great Islands
Location of Comoros
Region Comoros Islands
Capital Moroni
Government Presidential republic
President
- From 2011 Ikililou Dhoinine
Legislature Assembly of the Union
History
December 23, 2001 New Constitution
Area 2,235 km²
Population
- 2010 798,000
 Density 357/km²
GDP 2010 (PPP)
- Total US$ 0.9 billion
- Per capita US$ 1,202
Currency Comorian franc
Flag of None Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros
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The Union of the Comoros is a presidential republic off the coast of Eastern Africa.


Background

Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its own local government. AZALI won the 2002 presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants.[1]

Economy

One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that have inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang and Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires. The country is not self-sufficient in food production; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hampered by internal political disputes - lacks a comprehensive strategy to attract foreign investment and is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. Political problems have inhibited growth, which has averaged only about 1% in 2006-09. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. In September 2009 the IMF approved Comoros for a three-year $21 million loan. The IMF gave generally positive reports of the country's program performance as of October 2010. The African Development Bank approved a $34.6 million debt-relief package loan for Comoros in September 2010, and Comoros will attempt to qualify for debt relief in 2012 under the IMF and World Bank's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.[2]

President

  • Ikililou Dhoinine () (May 26, 2011 - )



Nation

Comoran Polities

  • Flag Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros
  • Flag State of Comoros
  • Flag Autonomous State of Comoros
  • Flag Overseas Territory of Comoros

Comoran Polities

  • Flag Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros
  • Flag State of Comoros
  • Flag Autonomous State of Comoros
  • Flag Overseas Territory of Comoros
  • Flag of France Mayotte (From 2011)

Neighbouring Nations

References

  1. The CIA World Factbook: Introduction - Background
  2. The CIA World Factbook: Economy - Overview
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