Africa Features

The Comoros: paradise islands plagued by unrest

Mar 25, 2008, 15:29 GMT

Johannesburg - The Comoros islands are situated between the coast of south-east Africa and the island of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean at the northern tip of the Mozambique Channel. Occupying an area of a little over 2,000 square kilometres - a little over half the size of the Spanish island of Majorca - the Union of the Comoros republic is one of the world's smallest states. It comprises three main islands - Grande Comore (Njazidja in Shikomoro), Anjouan (Nzwani) and Mohéli (Mwali) - as well as several islets. The Comoros are poor and politically unstable. Since independence from France in 1975 Comorans have experienced 19 coups or coup attempts. Ahmed Abdallah Sambi has been president and head of government since 2006. He sits in the capital Moroni on Grande Comore island. In 1997 Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from the Comoros and asked to be reincorporated into France - a request France rejected. At the end of 2001 Comorans voted for unity. Since then the three islands enjoy greater autonomy under a new constitution. A fourth island, Mayotte, voted against independence from France in the 1970s, and remains a French territory. Renegade Anjouan leader Colonel Mohamed Bacar has been president since 2002. In 2007 he maintained his hold on power in elections deemed illegitimate by the central government, prompting a year-long standoff that African Union diplomatic efforts failed to resolve. Comorans are mostly descendants of immigrants from Africa, Arab states, India and Indonesia, who rely principally on agriculture for a living. The volcanic islands have few mineral resources. Vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence) and cloves are among their chief exports. Anjouan is the only one of the three to have a deep sea port. The paradise islands also offer significant potential for tourism. French and Arabic are the official languages of the Comoros. Many people also speak Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic). The vast majority of Comorans are Muslim.

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