Union des Comores | |
Federation | |
Motto Unité, Solidarité, Développement Unity, Solidarity, Development | |
Anthem Udzima wa ya Masiwa The Unity of the Great Islands | |
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 |
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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
Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros
State of Comoros
Autonomous State of Comoros
Overseas Territory of Comoros
Comoran Polities
Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros
State of Comoros
Autonomous State of Comoros
Overseas Territory of Comoros
Mayotte (From 2011)
Neighbouring Nations
France (Overseas)
Madagascar
Mozambique
Seychelles
Tanzania
References
- Indian Ocean: five island countries (Library of Congress)
- Indian Ocean: five island countries (archive.org)
- Comoros: Location Map 2013 (UN OCHA, PNG)
- The World Factbook (CIA)
- Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments (CIA)
- U.S. Department of State
- Australian Government
- Inter-Parliamentary Union - Assembly of the Union
- BBC News Country Profile
- BBC News Time Line
- World Statesmen.org
- Psephos Election Archive
- Wikipedia