2013 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 of the entire government 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 federal 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 of Comoros, refusing to step down 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 to Anjouan, but in March 2008 the AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The island's inhabitants generally welcomed the move. In May 2011, Ikililou DHOININE won the presidency in peaceful elections widely deemed to be free and fair.

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%) 16.86 cu m/yr (1999)

per capita

16.86 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

1.3 sq km NA (2003)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

44.06% 31.17% 24.77% (2011)

arable land

44.06%

other

24.77% (2011)

permanent crops

31.17%

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 (2011)

Age structure

41.8% (male 156,812/female 157,917) 18.7% (male 67,934/female 72,589) 31.6% (male 112,825/female 124,991) 4.1% (male 13,827/female 17,290) 3.7% (male 13,370/female 14,733) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

41.8% (male 156,812/female 157,917)

15-24 years

18.7% (male 67,934/female 72,589)

25-54 years

31.6% (male 112,825/female 124,991)

55-64 years

4.1% (male 13,827/female 17,290)

65 years and over

3.7% (male 13,370/female 14,733) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

30.26 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

39,550 27 % (2000 est.)

percentage

27 % (2000 est.)

total number

39,550

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

25% (2000)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

25.7% (2000)

Death rate

7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

81.6 % 76.4 % 5.2 % 19.3 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

5.2 %

potential support ratio

19.3 (2013)

total dependency ratio

81.6 %

youth dependency ratio

76.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 91% of population rural: 97% of population total: 95% of population urban: 9% of population rural: 3% of population total: 5% of population (2010 est.)

rural

3% of population

total

5% of population (2010 est.)

urban

9% of population

Education expenditures

7.6% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava

Health expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2011)

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

67.12 deaths/1,000 live births 78.09 deaths/1,000 live births 55.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

55.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

67.12 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

63.12 years 60.89 years 65.41 years (2013 est.)

female

65.41 years (2013 est.)

total population

63.12 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 75.5% 80.5% 70.6% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

70.6% (2011 est.)

male

80.5%

total population

75.5%

Major urban areas - population

MORONI (capital) 54,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

280 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

19 years 18.3 years 19.6 years (2013 est.)

female

19.6 years (2013 est.)

male

18.3 years

total

19 years

Nationality

Comoran(s) Comoran

adjective

Comoran

noun

Comoran(s)

Net migration rate

-2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

4.4% (2008)

Physicians density

0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

752,288 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.97% (2013 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 (2010 est.)

rural

70% of population

total

64% of population (2010 est.)

urban

50% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 11 years 9 years (2005)

female

9 years (2005)

male

11 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

0.99 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.94 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.9 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.81 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 (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.93 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

28% of total population (2011) 2.84% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.84% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

28% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

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

previous 1996; latest ratified 23 December 2001; amended 2009 (2009)

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, currently Charge d'Affaires Eric WONG, is accredited to Comoros

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Roubani KAAMBI (since 6 September 2012); 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 [1] (212) 750-1657

chancery

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

chief of mission

Ambassador Roubani KAAMBI (since 6 September 2012); note - also serves as Permanent Representative to the UN

FAX

[1] (212) 750-1657

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, Ndzuwani, 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 Supreme (consists of 7 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 8 members) Supreme Court judges selected - 2 by the president of the Union, 2 by the Assembly of the Union, and 1 each by the 3 island councils; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members appointed - 1 by the president, 1 each by the 3 vice presidents, 1 by the Assembly, and 1 each by the island executives; all members serve 6-year renewable terms Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de premiere; island village (community) courts; religious courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 7 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 8 members)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges selected - 2 by the president of the Union, 2 by the Assembly of the Union, and 1 each by the 3 island councils; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members appointed - 1 by the president, 1 each by the 3 vice presidents, 1 by the Assembly, and 1 each by the island executives; all members serve 6-year renewable terms

subordinate courts

Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de premiere; island village (community) courts; religious courts

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

$164.8 million $155.9 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$155.9 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$164.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.5% 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.) 7.29% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-40.9 million (2012 est.) $-60.38 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$136.1 million (31 December 2012 est.) $277.9 million (31 December 2011 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 50% 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. In December 2012, IMF and the World Bank's International Development Association supported $176 million in debt relief for Comoros, resulting in a 59% reduction of its future external debt service over a period of 40 years.

Exchange rates

Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 382.9 (2012 est.) 353.9 (2011 est.) 371.46 (2010 est.)

Exports

$19.6 million (2012 est.) $25.18 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Netherlands 58.6%, Singapore 10.6%, Turkey 9.3%, France 5.6%, India 5% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

99.6% 17.4% 19.5% 3.2% 15.8% -55.5% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

15.8%

government consumption

17.4%

household consumption

99.6%

imports of goods and services

-55.5%

investment in fixed capital

19.5%

investment in inventories

3.2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

51% 10% 39% (2012 est.)

agriculture

51%

industry

10%

services

39% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,300 (2012 est.) $1,200 (2011 est.) $1,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2012 est.) 2.2% (2011 est.) 2.1% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$587.9 million (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$868 million (2012 est.) $843.5 million (2011 est.) $824.8 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

$208 million (2012 est.) $206.6 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Pakistan 15.7%, France 14.2%, UAE 11.5%, India 8.5%, China 6.7%, Kenya 5.3%, Singapore 5.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

4.5%

Industries

fishing, tourism, perfume distillation

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.3% (2012 est.) 6.8% (2011 est.)

Labor force

233,500 (2011 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

$132.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) $120.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$151.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) $128.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

20% (1996 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

148,400 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

37.2 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

83.3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

16.7% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

6,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

40 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1,025 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

877.1 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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 (2010)

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 (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

24,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

250,000 (2012)

Airports

4 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

3 (2013)

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

Moroni, Mutsamudu

major seaport(s)

Moroni, 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 (2013)

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 (2013)

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 (2012)

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

Trafficking in persons

Comoros is a source country for children subjected to forced labor and reportedly sex trafficking; Comoran children are forced to labor within the country in domestic service, roadside and street vending, baking, agriculture, and sometimes criminal activities; some Comoran students at Koranic schools are exploited for forced agricultural or domestic labor, sometimes being subjected to physical and sexual abuse; Comoros may be particularly vulnerable to transnational trafficking because of inadequate border controls, government corruption, and the presence of criminal networks Tier 2 Watch List - Comoros does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; although the government provided some funding to UNICEF-supported, NGO-run centers, victim protection provisions remained very modest; the government relies on donor funding and international organization partners for the majority of its anti-trafficking efforts; a new law was passed prohibiting child trafficking and the penal code was revised to include prohibitions against and penalties for human trafficking, but these modifications await parliamentary adoption (2013)

current situation

Comoros is a source country for children subjected to forced labor and reportedly sex trafficking; Comoran children are forced to labor within the country in domestic service, roadside and street vending, baking, agriculture, and sometimes criminal activities; some Comoran students at Koranic schools are exploited for forced agricultural or domestic labor, sometimes being subjected to physical and sexual abuse; Comoros may be particularly vulnerable to transnational trafficking because of inadequate border controls, government corruption, and the presence of criminal networks

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Comoros does not comply fully with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; although the government provided some funding to UNICEF-supported, NGO-run centers, victim protection provisions remained very modest; the government relies on donor funding and international organization partners for the majority of its anti-trafficking efforts; a new law was passed prohibiting child trafficking and the penal code was revised to include prohibitions against and penalties for human trafficking, but these modifications await parliamentary adoption (2013)