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71-567: The Chairperson of the Assembly presides the annual African Union Summit as well as the Pan-African Parliament during the election and swearing in of the President of the Pan-African Parliament. The Assembly came into existence on 25 May 1963, as part of the ratification of Organization of African Unity (OAU). Initially the Assembly consisted of 32 independent members, the heads of state of

142-632: A 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 7.69/10, ranking it 33rd globally out of 172 countries. In December 1952 a specimen of the West Indian Ocean coelacanth fish was re-discovered off the Comoros coast. The 66 million-year-old species was thought to have been long extinct until its first recorded appearance in 1938 off the South African coast. Between 1938 and 1975, 84 specimens were caught and recorded. There are six national parks in

213-767: A French-trained former gendarme elected President of Ndzwani in 2001, refused to step down at the end of his five-year mandate. He staged a vote in June 2007 to confirm his leadership that was rejected as illegal by the Comoros federal government and the African Union. On 25 March 2008 hundreds of soldiers from the African Union and the Comoros seized rebel-held Ndzwani, generally welcomed by the population: there have been reports of hundreds, if not thousands, of people tortured during Bacar's tenure. Some rebels were killed and injured, but there are no official figures. At least 11 civilians were wounded. Some officials were imprisoned. Bacar fled in

284-578: A bloodless coup, overthrowing the Interim President Massounde, citing weak leadership in the face of the crisis. This was the Comoros' 18th coup, or attempted coup d'état since independence in 1975. Assoumani failed to consolidate power and reestablish control over the islands, which was the subject of international criticism. The African Union , under the auspices of President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, imposed sanctions on Ndzwani to help broker negotiations and effect reconciliation. Under

355-520: A commitment to human rights, and several specific enumerated rights, democracy, "a common destiny" for all Comorians. Each of the islands (according to Title II of the Constitution) has a great amount of autonomy in the Union, including having their own constitutions (or Fundamental Law), president, and Parliament. The presidency and Assembly of the Union are distinct from each of the islands' governments. Up to

426-469: A compromise candidate from the East African region. By consensus, Ghana was elected instead as it was celebrating its 50th independence anniversary that year. In January 2010, Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi unsuccessfully tried to extend his tenure by an additional year, saying more time was needed in order to implement his vision for a United States of Africa - of which he was a strong proponent. Libya

497-484: A distinctive triangular shape caused by three mountain chains – Shisiwani , Nioumakele and Jimilime – emanating from a central peak, Mount Ntingui  [ fr ] (1,575 m or 5,167 ft). The islands of the Comoros Archipelago were formed by volcanic activity. Mount Karthala, an active shield volcano located on Ngazidja, is the country's highest point, at 2,361 metres (7,746 feet). It contains

568-499: A military dictatorship, and the transfer of power from Azali Assoumani to Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi in May 2006 was a watershed moment as it was the first peaceful transfer in Comorian history. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. The preamble of the constitution guarantees an Islamic inspiration in governance,

639-592: A nuclear-weapon-free state. and in 2023, Comoros was invited as a non-member guest to the G7 summit in Hiroshima . On 18 February 2023 the Comoros assumed the presidency of the African Union . In January 2024, President Azali Assoumani was re-elected with 63% of the vote in the disputed presidential election . The Comoros is formed by Ngazidja (Grande Comore), Mwali (Mohéli) and Ndzwani (Anjouan), three major islands in

710-406: A referendum on 30.7.2018 (62.7% participation, 92.34% for the amendment according to the Comorian government) the presidency of the Union rotated between the islands. The Comorian legal system rests on Islamic law , an inherited French ( Napoleonic Code ) legal code, and customary law (mila na ntsi). Village elders, kadis or civilian courts settle most disputes. The judiciary is independent of

781-467: A speedboat to Mayotte to seek asylum. Anti-French protests followed in the Comoros (see 2008 invasion of Anjouan ). Bacar was eventually granted asylum in Benin. Since independence from France, the Comoros experienced more than 20 coups or attempted coups. Following elections in late 2010, former Vice-president Ikililou Dhoinine was inaugurated as president on 26 May 2011. Dhoinine is the first President of

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852-613: A way station for English merchants sailing to India and the Far East, as well as American whalers, although the British gradually abandoned it following their possession of Mauritius in 1814, and by the time the Suez Canal opened in 1869 there was no longer any significant supply trade at Ndzwani. Local commodities exported by the Comoros were, in addition to slaves, coconuts, timber, cattle and tortoiseshell. British and American settlers, as well as

923-747: A year at the AU Summit. The current Chairman of the Assembly is President Moussa Faki of Chad . The current members of the AU-AHSG are: Chairperson of the African Union The Chairperson of the African Union is the ceremonial head of the African Union (AU) elected by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government for a one-year term. It rotates among the continent's five regions . A candidate must be selected by consensus or at least two-thirds majority vote by member states . The chairperson

994-524: Is expected to complete the term without interruption; hence countries with impending elections may be ineligible. The current Chairperson is Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani . Both Angola and Botswana are seeking the post in 2025; and the Republic of the Congo in 2026. In 2002, South African President Thabo Mbeki served as the inaugural chairman of the union. The post rotates annually amongst

1065-416: Is the largest of the Comoros Archipelago, with an area of 1,024 km . It is also the most recent island, and therefore has rocky soil. The island's two volcanoes, Karthala (active) and La Grille (dormant), and the lack of good harbours are distinctive characteristics of its terrain. Mwali, with its capital at Fomboni , is the smallest of the four major islands. Ndzwani, whose capital is Mutsamudu , has

1136-951: The African Union , the Arab League , the World Bank , the International Monetary Fund , the Indian Ocean Commission and the African Development Bank . On 10 April 2008, the Comoros became the 179th nation to accept the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Comoros signed the UN treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons . Azali Assoumani , President of

1207-618: The Arab League which is entirely in the Southern Hemisphere . It is a member state of the African Union , the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie , the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation , and the Indian Ocean Commission . The country has three official languages: Shikomori , French and Arabic . At 1,659 km (641 sq mi), the Comoros is the third-smallest African country by area. In 2019, its population

1278-526: The French colonial empire during the 19th century, before its independence in 1975. It has experienced more than 20 coups or attempted coups, with various heads of state assassinated. Along with this constant political instability, it has one of the highest levels of income inequality of any nation, and ranks in the medium quartile on the Human Development Index . Between 2009 and 2014, about 19% of

1349-427: The Organisation of African Unity during the terms 1986–88 and 2006–07, and 1997–98 and 2015–16 respectively. In 2023, both Kenya and Comoros were vying for the position. Comorian President Azali Assoumani thanked Kenyan President William Ruto for his country's withdrawal. In 2024, Both Algeria and Morocco were interested in the position in 2024. Mauritania was elected instead. The incumbent chairs

1420-682: The Swahili cultural and economic complex and the islands became a major hub of trade and an important location in a network of trading towns that included Kilwa , in present-day Tanzania, Sofala (an outlet for Zimbabwean gold), in Mozambique , and Mombasa in Kenya . The Portuguese arrived in the Indian Ocean at the end of the 15th century and the first Portuguese visit to the islands seems to have been that of Vasco da Gama 's second fleet in 1503. For much of

1491-581: The United Nations General Assembly , which adopted a series of resolutions under the caption "Question of the Comorian Island of Mayotte", opining that Mayotte belongs to the Comoros under the principle that the territorial integrity of colonial territories should be preserved upon independence. As a practical matter, however, these resolutions have little effect and there is no foreseeable likelihood that Mayotte will become de facto part of

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1562-514: The legislative and the executive. The Supreme Court acts as a Constitutional Council in resolving constitutional questions and supervising presidential elections. As High Court of Justice, the Supreme Court also arbitrates in cases where the government is accused of malpractice. The Supreme Court consists of two members selected by the president, two elected by the Federal Assembly, and one by

1633-504: The second , held in February 1976, confirmed that vote with an overwhelming 99.4%, while the third, in April 1976, confirmed that the people of Mayotte wished to remain a French territory. The three remaining islands, ruled by President Soilihi, instituted a number of socialist and isolationist policies that soon strained relations with France. On 13 May 1978, Bob Denard , once again commissioned by

1704-625: The 16th century the islands provided provisions to the Portuguese fort at Mozambique and although there was no formal attempt by the Portuguese crown to take possession, a number of Portuguese traders settled and married local women. By the end of the 16th century local rulers on the African mainland were beginning to push back and, with the support of the Omani Sultan Saif bin Sultan they began to defeat

1775-443: The African coast (nearest to Mozambique and Tanzania ) and Madagascar , with no land borders. At 1,659 km (641 sq mi), it is one of the smallest countries in the world. The Comoros also has claim to 320 km (120 sq mi) of territorial seas. The interiors of the islands vary from steep mountains to low hills. The areas and populations (at the 2017 Census) of the main islands are as follows: Ngazidja

1846-587: The African states that had achieved independence by 1963. Until 2001, the governing constitution of the Assembly was the OAU Charter. The Assembly is now subject to the Union Act that created the African Union . The Assembly has nine basic functions: The Assembly shall take its decisions by consensus or, failing which, by a two-thirds majority of the Member States of the Union. However, procedural matters, including

1917-493: The Comorian parliament passed a unilateral resolution declaring independence. Ahmed Abdallah proclaimed the independence of the Comorian State ( État comorien ; دولة القمر) and became its first president. France did not recognise the new state until 31 December, and retained control of Mayotte. The next 30 years were a period of political turmoil. On 3 August 1975, less than one month after independence, president Ahmed Abdallah

1988-424: The Comoros ( République Fédérale Islamique des Comores ; جمهورية القمر الإتحادية الإسلامية). Bob Denard served as Abdallah's first advisor; nicknamed the "Viceroy of the Comoros," he was sometimes considered the real strongman of the regime. Very close to South Africa, which financed his "presidential guard," he allowed Paris to circumvent the international embargo on the apartheid regime via Moroni. He also set up from

2059-590: The Comoros , is an archipelagic country made up of three islands in Southeastern Africa , located at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean . Its capital and largest city is Moroni . The religion of the majority of the population, and the official state religion, is Sunni Islam . Comoros proclaimed its independence from France on 6 July 1975. The Comoros is the only country of

2130-407: The Comoros Archipelago, as well as many minor islets. The islands are officially known by their Comorian language names, though international sources still use their French names (given in parentheses above). The capital and largest city, Moroni , is located on Ngazidja and the most densely populated city is Anjouan. The archipelago is situated in the Indian Ocean, in the Mozambique Channel , between

2201-522: The Comoros Archipelago. Banc du Geyser , a former island in the Comoros Archipelago, now submerged, is geographically located in the Îles Éparses , but was annexed by Madagascar in 1976 as an unclaimed territory. The Comoros and France each still view the Banc du Geyser as part of the Glorioso Islands and, thus, part of its particular exclusive economic zone. The climate is generally tropical and mild, and

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2272-790: The Comoros and Chair of the African Union , attended the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg. In May 2013 the Union of the Comoros became known for filing a referral to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the events of "the 31 May 2010 Israeli raid on the Humanitarian Aid Flotilla bound for [the] Gaza Strip". In November 2014 the ICC Prosecutor eventually decided that

2343-610: The Comoros by taking possession of Mayotte in 1841 when the Sakalava usurper sultan Andriantsoly  [ fr ] (also known as Tsy Levalo) signed the Treaty of April 1841, which ceded the island to the French authorities. After its annexation, France attempted to convert Mayotte into a sugar plantation colony. Meanwhile, Ndzwani (or Johanna as it was known to the British) continued to serve as

2414-403: The Comoros from the island of Mwali. Following the 2016 elections, Azali Assoumani , from Ngazidja, became president for a third term. In 2018 Assoumani held a referendum on constitutional reform that would permit a president to serve two terms. The amendments passed, although the vote was widely contested and boycotted by the opposition, and in April 2019, and to widespread opposition, Assoumani

2485-463: The Comoros takes place in a framework of a unitary presidential republic , whereby the President of the Comoros is both head of state and head of government , and of a multi-party system . The Constitution of the Union of the Comoros was ratified by referendum on 23 December 2001, and the islands' constitutions and executives were elected in the following months. It had previously been considered

2556-540: The Comoros without its people's consent. More recently, the Assembly has maintained this item on its agenda but deferred it from year to year without taking action. Other bodies, including the Organization of African Unity , the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation , have similarly questioned French sovereignty over Mayotte. To close the debate and to avoid being integrated by force in

2627-473: The Comoros – Karthala , Coelacanth, and Mitsamiouli Ndroudi on Grande Comore, Mount Ntringui and Shisiwani on Anjouan, and Mohéli National Park on Mohéli. Karthala and Mount Ntrigui national parks cover the highest peaks on the respective islands, and Coelacanth, Mitsamiouli Ndroudi, and Shisiwani are marine national parks that protect the island's coastal waters and fringing reefs. Mohéli National Park includes both terrestrial and marine areas. Politics of

2698-407: The Comoros' largest patch of disappearing rainforest. Karthala is currently one of the most active volcanoes in the world, with a minor eruption in May 2006, and prior eruptions as recently as April 2005 and 1991. In the 2005 eruption, which lasted from 17 to 19 April, 40,000 citizens were evacuated, and the crater lake in the volcano's three-by-four-kilometre (2-by- 2 + 1 ⁄ 2 -mile) caldera

2769-498: The Dutch and the Portuguese. One of his successors, Said bin Sultan , increased Omani Arab influence in the region, moving his administration to nearby Zanzibar , which came under Omani rule. Nevertheless, the Comoros remained independent, and although the three smaller islands were usually politically unified , the largest island, Ngazidja, was divided into a number of autonomous kingdoms ( ntsi ). The islands were well placed to meet

2840-493: The French intelligence service ( SDECE ), returned to overthrow President Soilihi and reinstate Abdallah with the support of the French, Rhodesian and South African governments. Ali Soilihi was captured and executed a few weeks later. In contrast to Soilihi, Abdallah's presidency was marked by authoritarian rule and increased adherence to traditional Islam and the country was renamed the Federal Islamic Republic of

2911-737: The Paris-backed Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim became president by election. He led the country from 1996, during a time of labour crises, government suppression, and secessionist conflicts, until his death in November 1998. He was succeeded by Interim President Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde . The islands of Ndzwani and Mwali declared their independence from the Comoros in 1997, in an attempt to restore French rule. But France rejected their request, leading to bloody confrontations between federal troops and rebels. In April 1999, Colonel Azali Assoumani , Army Chief of Staff, seized power in

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2982-589: The Union of the Comoros, the population of Mayotte overwhelmingly chose to become an overseas department and a region of France in a 2009 referendum . The new status was effective on 31 March 2011 and Mayotte has been recognised as an outermost region by the European Union on 1 January 2014. This decision legally integrates Mayotte in the French Republic . The Comoros is a member of the United Nations ,

3053-582: The archipelago a permanent mercenary corps, called upon to intervene at the request of Paris or Pretoria in conflicts in Africa. Abdallah continued as president until 1989 when, fearing a probable coup, he signed a decree ordering the Presidential Guard, led by Bob Denard, to disarm the armed forces. Shortly after the signing of the decree, Abdallah was allegedly shot dead in his office by a disgruntled military officer, though later sources claim an antitank missile

3124-604: The biannual summit meetings of the assembly and represents the continent in various international fora such as G7 , TICAD , FOCAC and G20 summits. They also assist in resolving crises on the continent as an elder statesman. It has been suggested that liaison offices be established to prevent friction between the incumbent and the Commission Chairperson at the headquarters in Addis Ababa . In 2008, following Kenya 's post-election crisis , AU Chairman Jakaya Kikwete

3195-453: The coast and islands were frequently visited by Muslims including Persian and Arab merchants and sailors in search of coral , ambergris , ivory , tortoiseshell , gold and slaves. They also brought Islam to the people of the Zanj including the Comoros. As the importance of the Comoros grew along the East African coast, both small and large mosques were constructed. The Comoros are part of

3266-496: The council of each island. Around 80 percent of the central government's annual budget is spent on the country's complex administrative system which provides for a semi-autonomous government and president for each of the three islands and a rotating presidency for the overarching Union government. A referendum took place on 16 May 2009 to decide whether to cut down the government's unwieldy political bureaucracy. 52.7% of those eligible voted, and 93.8% of votes were cast in approval of

3337-684: The east coast of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and the Persian Gulf , the Malay Archipelago , and Madagascar . Bantu -speaking settlers were present on the islands from the beginnings of settlement , probably brought to the islands as slaves. Development of the Comoros is divided into phases. The earliest reliably recorded phase is the Dembeni phase (eighth to tenth centuries), during which there were several small settlements on each island. From

3408-539: The eleventh to the fifteenth centuries, trade with the island of Madagascar and merchants from the Swahili coast and the Middle East flourished, more villages were founded and existing villages grew. Settlers from the Arabian peninsula, particularly Hadhramaut , arrived during this period. According to legend, in 632, upon hearing of Islam , islanders are said to have dispatched an emissary, Mtswa-Mwindza, to Mecca —but by

3479-549: The five geographic regions of Africa; and over the years it has assumed the following order: East, North, Southern, Central and West Africa. In January 2007, the assembly elected Ghanaian President John Kufuor over Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir due to the ongoing conflict in Darfur . Amnesty International said it would undermine African Union's credibility and Chad threatened to withdraw its membership. Western governments also lobbied against Sudan and suggested Tanzania as

3550-575: The island accompanied by his queen Bilqis . The first attested human inhabitants of the Comoro Islands are now thought to have been Austronesian settlers travelling by boat from islands in Southeast Asia . These people arrived in the area no later than the eighth century AD, the date of the earliest known archaeological site, found on Mayotte , although settlement beginning in the first century has been postulated. Subsequent settlers came from

3621-429: The island under French protection in exchange for French support of his claim to the entire island, which he retained until his abdication in 1910. In 1908 the four islands were unified under a single administration ( Colonie de Mayotte et dépendances ) and placed under the authority of the French colonial Governor-General of Madagascar . In 1909, Sultan Said Muhamed of Ndzwani abdicated in favour of French rule and in 1912

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3692-428: The island's sultan, established a plantation-based economy that used about one-third of the land for export crops. In addition to sugar on Mayotte, ylang-ylang and other perfume plants, vanilla, cloves, coffee, cocoa beans, and sisal were introduced. In 1886, Mwali was placed under French protection by its Sultan Mardjani Abdou Cheikh. That same year, Sultan Said Ali of Bambao , one of the sultanates on Ngazidja, placed

3763-467: The island. Mayotte became an overseas department and a region of France in 2011 following a referendum which was passed overwhelmingly. The Comoros were likely first settled by Austronesian / Malagasy peoples , Bantu speakers from East Africa , and seafaring Arab traders. From 1500 the Sultanate of Anjouan dominated the islands, with Grande Comore split between several sultans . It became part of

3834-405: The islands every five years. Assoumani stepped down in 2002 to run in the democratic election of the President of the Comoros, which he won. Under ongoing international pressure, as a military ruler who had originally come to power by force, and was not always democratic while in office, Assoumani led the Comoros through constitutional changes that enabled new elections. A Loi des compétences law

3905-403: The needs of Europeans, initially supplying the Portuguese in Mozambique, then ships, particularly the English, on the route to India, and, later, slaves to the plantation islands in the Mascarenes . In the last decade of the 18th century, Malagasy warriors, mostly Betsimisaraka and Sakalava , started raiding the Comoros for slaves and the islands were devastated as crops were destroyed and

3976-476: The people were slaughtered, taken into captivity or fled to the African mainland: it is said that by the time the raids finally ended in the second decade of the 19th century only one man remained on Mwali. The islands were repopulated by slaves from the mainland, who were traded to the French in Mayotte and the Mascarenes. On the Comoros, it was estimated in 1865 that as much as 40% of the population consisted of slaves. France first established colonial rule in

4047-425: The population lived below the international poverty line of US$ 1.90 a day by purchasing power parity . The name "Comoros" derives from the Arabic word قمر qamar (" moon "). According to mythology, a jinni (spirit) dropped a jewel, which formed a great circular inferno. This became the Karthala volcano , which created the island of Ngazidja (Grande Comore). King Solomon is also said to have visited

4118-512: The protectorates were abolished and the islands administered as a single colony. Two years later the colony was abolished and the islands became a province of the colony of Madagascar . Agreement was reached with France in 1973 for the Comoros to become independent in 1978, despite the deputies of Mayotte voting for increased integration with France. A referendum was held on all four of the islands. Three voted for independence by large margins, while Mayotte voted against. On 6 July 1975, however,

4189-441: The question of whether a matter is one of procedure or not, shall be decided by a simple majority. Two-thirds of the total membership of the Union shall form a quorum at any meeting of the Assembly. The Assembly may delegate any of its powers and functions to any organ of the Union. The AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government consists of the 55 heads of state and government of the member countries. The Assembly meets once

4260-467: The referendum. Following the implementation of the changes, each island's president became a governor and the ministers became councillors. In November 1975, the Comoros became the 143rd member of the United Nations . The new nation was defined as comprising the entire archipelago , although the citizens of Mayotte chose to become French citizens and keep their island as a French territory. The Comoros has repeatedly pressed its claim to Mayotte before

4331-431: The terms of the Fomboni Accords, signed in December 2001 by the leaders of all three islands, the official name of the country was changed to the Union of the Comoros; the new state was to be highly decentralised and the central union government would devolve most powers to the new island governments, each led by a president. The Union president, although elected by national elections, would be chosen in rotation from each of

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4402-439: The time he arrived there, the Islamic prophet Muhammad had died. Nonetheless, after a stay in Mecca, he returned to Ngazidja, where he built a mosque in his home town of Ntsaweni, and led the gradual conversion of the islanders to Islam. In 933, the Comoros was referred to by Omani sailors as the Perfume Islands. Among the earliest accounts of East Africa, the works of Al-Masudi describe early Islamic trade routes, and how

4473-536: The two major seasons are distinguishable by their raininess. The temperature reaches an average of 29–30 °C (84–86 °F) in March, the hottest month in the rainy season (called kashkazi/kaskazi [meaning north monsoon], which runs from November to April), and an average low of 19 °C (66 °F) in the cool, dry season (kusi (meaning south monsoon), which proceeds from May to October). The islands are rarely subject to cyclones . The Comoros constitute an ecoregion in their own right, Comoros forests . It had

4544-399: Was re-elected president to serve the first of potentially two five-year terms. In January 2020, the legislative elections in Comoros were dominated by President Azali Assoumani's party, the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros , CRC. It took an overwhelming majority in the parliament. In 2021, Comoros signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons , making it

4615-416: Was at the time one of the largest financial supporters of the AU. Malawi was chosen instead. The election of Equatoguinean President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in January 2011 was criticized by human rights activists as it undermined the AU's commitment to democracy. Congolese Republic President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe have both led the AU and its predecessor,

4686-477: Was destroyed. The Comoros also lays claim to the Îles Éparses or Îles éparses de l'océan indien (Scattered Islands in the Indian Ocean) – Glorioso Islands , comprising Grande Glorieuse , Île du Lys , Wreck Rock , South Rock , Verte Rocks  [ fr ] (three islets) and three unnamed islets – one of France's overseas districts. The Glorioso Islands were administered by the colonial Comoros before 1975, and are therefore sometimes considered part of

4757-444: Was estimated to be 850,886. The sovereign state consists of three major islands and numerous smaller islands, all of the volcanic Comoro Islands with the exception of Mayotte . Mayotte voted against independence from France in a referendum in 1974 , and continues to be administered by France as an overseas department . France has vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that would have affirmed Comorian sovereignty over

4828-409: Was instrumental in facilitating the opposing sides to agree to a Government of National Unity . Kikwete also backed the invasion of Anjouan by sending an AU Force to assist the Comoros federal government to remove renegade leader Mohamed Bacar . The Chairperson is assisted by a bureau of four vice chairpersons including a rapporteur. Comoros The Comoros , officially the Union of

4899-522: Was launched into his bedroom and killed him. Although Denard was also injured, it is suspected that Abdallah's killer was a soldier under his command. A few days later, Bob Denard was evacuated to South Africa by French paratroopers. Said Mohamed Djohar , Soilihi's older half-brother, then became president, and served until September 1995, when Bob Denard returned and attempted another coup. This time France intervened with paratroopers and forced Denard to surrender. The French removed Djohar to Reunion, and

4970-440: Was passed in early 2005 that defines the responsibilities of each governmental body, and is in the process of implementation. The elections in 2006 were won by Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi , a Sunni Muslim cleric nicknamed the "Ayatollah" for his time spent studying Islam in Iran. Assoumani honoured the election results, thus allowing the first peaceful and democratic exchange of power for the archipelago. Colonel Mohammed Bacar ,

5041-465: Was removed from office in an armed coup and replaced with United National Front of the Comoros (FNUK) member Said Mohamed Jaffar . Months later, in January 1976, Jaffar was ousted in favour of his Minister of Defence Ali Soilihi . The population of Mayotte voted against independence from France in three referendums during this period. The first , held on all the islands on 22 December 1974, won 63.8% support for maintaining ties with France on Mayotte;

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