“Scarred lands, wandering wounds, a derailed journey
of a people whose smiles tremble.”
Saindoune Ben Ali
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Population
Area
Currency
Religions
Sunni Islam (98%)
Catholicism (2%)
GDP (nominal)
Main exports
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Main customers
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Political system
Since gaining independence from France in 1975, the Comoros has experienced chronic political instability, with more than twenty coups, attempted coups and secessionist crises. In the years following independence, the country oscillated between authoritarian rule and socialist experiments, before Azali Assoumani emerged as a dominant figure, consolidating strong central power despite periods of fragile democratic transition.
In 2001, the country adopted a federal system aimed at easing separatist tensions between the islands, but inter-island rivalries persist. The economy remains heavily dependent on international aid and remittances from the diaspora, while key sectors such as vanilla production and fishing are highly vulnerable.
President since 2019, after several previous stints in power, Azali Assoumani holds most executive authority. A former military officer, he has entrenched an authoritarian system under the banner of stability. He has sought to promote economic development and attract foreign investment, notably with backing from Gulf states. His rule has been marked by political tensions and accusations of authoritarian drift.
Despite this, the Comoros is positioning itself as a stable partner in the Indian Ocean.
