2012 Edition

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 local government. AZALI won the 2002 presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its 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.

Area

2,235 sq km 2,235 sq km 0 sq km

total

2,235 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC

Climate

tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)

Coastline

340 km

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Karthala 2,360 m

highest point

Karthala 2,360 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%) 13 cu m/yr (1999)

per capita

13 cu m/yr (1999)

total

0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%)

Geographic coordinates

12 10 S, 44 15 E

Geography - note

important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

35.87% 23.32% 40.81% (2005)

arable land

35.87%

other

40.81% (2005)

permanent crops

23.32%

Location

Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore Karthala (elev. 2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud

volcanism

Karthala (elev. 2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud

Natural resources

NEGL

Terrain

volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills

Total renewable water resources

1.2 cu km (2003)

Age structure

42.2% (male 155,134/ female 156,238) 54.1% (male 189,465/ female 209,242) 3.7% (male 13,036/ female 14,169) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

42.2% (male 155,134/ female 156,238)

15-64 years

54.1% (male 189,465/ female 209,242)

65 years and over

3.7% (male 13,036/ female 14,169) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

31.49 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

25% (2000)

Death rate

8.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

7.6% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Health expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.2 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

68.97 deaths/1,000 live births 80.12 deaths/1,000 live births 57.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

57.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

68.97 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic)

Life expectancy at birth

62.74 years 60.54 years 65.01 years (2012 est.)

female

65.01 years (2012 est.)

total population

62.74 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 74.9% 80.2% 69.7% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

69.7% (2010 est.)

male

80.2%

total population

74.9%

Major cities - population

MORONI (capital) 49,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

280 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

18.9 years 18.3 years 19.5 years (2012 est.)

female

19.5 years (2012 est.)

male

18.3 years

total

18.9 years

Nationality

Comoran(s) Comoran

adjective

Comoran

noun

Comoran(s)

Net migration rate

-2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

737,284 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

2.063% (2012 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 50% of population rural: 30% of population total: 36% of population urban: 50% of population rural: 70% of population total: 64% of population

rural

70% of population

total

64% of population

urban

50% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 12 years 10 years (2005)

female

10 years (2005)

male

12 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.92 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.94 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

0.99 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

4.09 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

28% of total population (2010) 2.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

28% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*

Capital

Moroni 11 42 S, 43 14 E UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

11 42 S, 43 14 E

name

Moroni

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

23 December 2001

Country name

Union of the Comoros Comoros Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic) Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)

conventional long form

Union of the Comoros

conventional short form

Comoros

local long form

Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic)

local short form

Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)

Diplomatic representation from the US

the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Roubani KAAMBI; note - also serves as Permanent Representative to the UN Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017 [1] (212) 750-1637

chancery

Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017

chief of mission

Ambassador Roubani KAAMBI; note - also serves as Permanent Representative to the UN

telephone

[1] (212) 750-1637

Executive branch

President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011) President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011) Council of Ministers appointed by the president as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held on 7 November and 26 December 2010 (next to be held in 2014) Ikililou DHOININE elected president; percent of vote - Ikililou DHOININE 61.1%, Mohamed Said FAZUL 32.7%, Abdou DJABIR 6.2%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011)

election results

Ikililou DHOININE elected president; percent of vote - Ikililou DHOININE 61.1%, Mohamed Said FAZUL 32.7%, Abdou DJABIR 6.2%

elections

as defined by the 2001 constitution, the presidency rotates every four years among the elected presidents from the three main islands in the Union; election last held on 7 November and 26 December 2010 (next to be held in 2014)

head of government

President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011)

Flag description

four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Nzwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by Comoros) the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam

Government type

republic

Independence

6 July 1975 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AMF, AOSIS, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supremes (two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic)

Legal system

mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 15 deputies are selected by the individual islands' local assemblies and 18 by universal suffrage to serve for five years); last held on 6 and 20 December 2009 (next to be held in 2014) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-union coalition 19, autonomous coalition 4, independents 1; note - 9 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - pro-union coalition 19, autonomous coalition 4, independents 1; note - 9 additional seats are filled by deputies from local island assemblies

elections

last held on 6 and 20 December 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

National anthem

"Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands) Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH adopted 1978

lyrics/music

Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH

name

"Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands)

National holiday

Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

National symbol(s)

four stars and crescent

Political parties and leaders

Camp of the Autonomous Islands or CdIA (a coalition of parties organized by the islands' presidents in opposition to the Union President); Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assowmani]; Front National pour la Justice or FNJ [Ahmed RACHID] (Islamic party in opposition); Mouvement pour la Democratie et le Progress or MDP-NGDC [Abbas DJOUSSOUF]; Parti Comorien pour la Democratie et le Progress or PCDP [Ali MROUDJAE]; Rassemblement National pour le Development or RND [Omar TAMOU, Abdoulhamid AFFRAITANE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

environmentalists

other

environmentalists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), copra, coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc)

Budget

$126.8 million $130.4 million (2012 est.) (2012 est.)

expenditures

$130.4 million (2012 est.) (2012 est.)

revenues

$126.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.6% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.93% (31 December 2010 est.) 2.21% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 10.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$67 million (2012 est.) -$60.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$279.3 million (31 December 2009 est.) $485.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Economy - overview

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 averaged only about 1% in 2006-09 but more than 2% per year in 2010-12. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. In September 2009 the IMF approved Comoros for a three-year $21 million loan, but the government has struggled to meet program targets, such as restricting spending on wages, strengthening domestic revenue collection, and moving forward on structural reforms.

Exchange rates

Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 386.4 (2012 est.) 353.9 (2011 est.) 371.46 (2010 est.)

Exports

$27.5 million (2012 est.) $25.2 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves, copra

Exports - partners

Singapore 34.9%, Turkey 23%, France 10.2%, Netherlands 7.6%, India 4.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

50% 10% 40% (2011 est.)

agriculture

50%

industry

10%

services

40% (2011 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,300 (2012 est.) $1,300 (2011 est.) $1,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.5% (2012 est.) 2.2% (2011 est.) 2.1% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$595 million (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$872 million (2012 est.) $850.6 million (2011 est.) $832.4 million (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

0.9% 55.2% (2004)

highest 10%

55.2% (2004)

lowest 10%

0.9%

Imports

$211.2 million (2012 est.) $206.6 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement, transport equipment

Imports - partners

Pakistan 16.1%, France 15.7%, UAE 11.2%, Turkey 7.3%, Kenya 5.5%, India 4.8% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6% (2012 est.) 1.8% (2011 est.)

Labor force

268,500 (2007 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

80% 20% (1996 est.)

agriculture

80%

industry and services

20% (1996 est.)

Population below poverty line

60% (2002 est.)

Stock of broad money

$212.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) $198.2 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$139.8 million (31 December 2012 est.) $130.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$135 million (31 December 2012 est.) $128.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

20% (1996 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

149,600 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

48.36 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

83.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

16.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

6,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

52 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,025 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,009 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

national state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan regional government; national state-owned radio; regional governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate a radio station; a few independent and small community radio stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV (2007)

Internet country code

.km

Internet hosts

14 (2012)

Internet users

24,300 (2009)

Telephone system

sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 30 per 100 persons country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe and North America; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion

domestic

fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 30 per 100 persons

general assessment

sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations

international

country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe and North America; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion

Telephones - main lines in use

23,600 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

216,400 (2011)

Airports

4 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

3 (2012)

total

4

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 16, cargo 83, carrier 5, chemical tanker 5, container 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 8 73 (Bangladesh 1, Bulgaria 4, China 1, Cyprus 2, Greece 4, Kenya 2, Kuwait 1, Latvia 2, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 5, Russia 12, Syria 5, Turkey 8, UAE 8, UK 1, Ukraine 10, US 2) (2010)

foreign-owned

73 (Bangladesh 1, Bulgaria 4, China 1, Cyprus 2, Greece 4, Kenya 2, Kuwait 1, Latvia 2, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 5, Russia 12, Syria 5, Turkey 8, UAE 8, UK 1, Ukraine 10, US 2) (2010)

total

149

Ports and terminals

Mayotte, Mutsamudu

Roadways

880 km 673 km 207 km (2002)

total

880 km

unpaved

207 km (2002)

Manpower available for military service

184,236 183,363 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

183,363 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

184,236

Manpower fit for military service

134,562 145,797 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

145,797 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

134,562

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

8,831 8,809 (2010 est.)

female

8,809 (2010 est.)

male

8,831

Military branches

Army of National Development (l'Armee du Developpement Nationale, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense FCD, includes Gendarmerie)), Comoran Coast Guard, Comoran Federal Police (2011)

Army of National Development (l'Armee du Developpement Nationale, AND)

Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense FCD, includes Gendarmerie)), Comoran Coast Guard, Comoran Federal Police (2011)

Military expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for 2-year voluntary military service; no conscription; women first inducted into the Army in 2004 (2011)

Disputes - international

claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces were called in to assist the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001