Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$1,000 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

3% (2007 est.)

Population

752,438 (July 2009 est.)

Country Risk Ratings

D

Ease of Doing Business

155/181

Country Map

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Comoros : Introduction

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 took office. Since 2006, Anjouan's President Mohamed BACAR has refused to work effectively with the Union presidency. In 2007, 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.

Comoros: Central Bank of Comoros

Official site of the Central Bank of Comoros. Site includes information on the bank, publications, and monetary statistics, among others. Site is available in French only.

Comoros: Official Presidential Website

This is the official website of the President of Comoros.  Key elements of the site include a section on the institutions of Comoros, government and political orientation, and services provided to businesses operating in the country.  The site is only available in French.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2009)