The 1994 CIA World Factbook. United States. Central Intelligence Agency

      Names:

       conventional long form:

       Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros

       conventional short form:

       Comoros

       local long form:

       Republique Federale Islamique des Comores

       local short form:

       Comores

       Digraph:

       CN

       Type:

       independent republic

       Capital:

       Moroni

       Administrative divisions:

       three islands; Grand Comore (Njazidja), Anjouan (Nzwani), and Moheli

       (Mwali)

       note:

       there are also four municipalities named Domoni, Fomboni, Moroni, and

       Mutsamudu

       Independence:

       6 July 1975 (from France)

       National holiday:

       Independence Day, 6 July (1975)

       Constitution:

       7 June 1992

       Legal system:

       French and Muslim law in a new consolidated code

       Suffrage:

       18 years of age; universal

       Executive branch:

       chief of state::

       President Said Mohamed DJOHAR (since 11 March 1990); election last

       held 11 March 1990 (next to be held March 1996); results - Said

       Mohamed DJOHAR (UDZIMA) 55%, Mohamed TAKI Abdulkarim (UNDC) 45%

       head of government::

       Prime Minister Mohamed Abdou MADI (since 6 January 1994) appointed by

       President DJOHAR 6 January 1994 (DJOHAR has appointed 14 prime

       ministers in the last three years)

       cabinet:

       Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

       Legislative branch:

       unicameral

       Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale):

       elections last held 12–20 December 1993 (next to be held by NA January

       1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total)

       Ruling Coalition: RDR 15, UNDC 5, MWANGAZA 2; Opposition: UDZIMA 8,

       other smaller parties 10; 2 seats remained unfilled

       note:

       opposition is boycotting the National Assembly until the government

       promises to investigate fraud in the last election

       Judicial branch:

       Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)

       Political parties and leaders:

       over 20 political parties are currently active, the most important of

       which are; Comoran Union for Progress (UDZIMA), Omar TAMOU; Islands'

       Fraternity and Unity Party (CHUMA), Said Ali KEMAL; Comoran Party for

       Democracy and Progress (PCDP), Ali MROUDJAE; Realizing Freedom's

       Capability (UWEZO), Mouazair ABDALLAH; Democratic Front of the Comoros

       (FDR), Moustapha CHELKH; Dialogue Proposition Action (DPA/MWANGAZA),

       Said MCHAWGAMA; Rally for Change and Democracy (RACHADE), Hassan

       HACHIM; Union for Democracy and Decentralization (UNDC), Mohamed Taki

       Halidi IBRAHAM; Rally for Democracy and Renewal (RDR); Comoran Popular

       Front (FPC), Mohamed HASSANALI, Mohamed El Arif OUKACHA, Abdou

       MOUSTAKIM (Secretary General)

       Member of:

       ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,

       ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,

       UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO

       Diplomatic representation in US:

       chief of mission:

       Ambassador Amini Ali MOUMIN

       chancery:

       (temporary) at the Comoran Permanent Mission to the UN, 336 East 45th

       Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017

       telephone:

       (212) 972–8010

       FAX:

       (212) 983–4712

       US diplomatic representation:

       none; post closed in September 1993

       Flag:

       green with a white crescent placed diagonally (closed side of the

       crescent points to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag); there are

       four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of

       the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional

       symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of

       the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (which is a

       territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by the Comoros)

      @Comoros, Economy

      Overview:

       One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of several

       islands that have poor transportation links, a young and rapidly

       increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational

       level of the labor force contributes to a low level of economic

       activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants

       and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and

       forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to

       GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.

       The country is not self-sufficient in food production, and rice, the

       main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. During 1982–86 the

       industrial sector grew at an annual average rate of 5.3%, but its

       contribution to GDP is small. Despite major investment in the tourist

       industry, which accounts for about 25% of GDP, growth has stagnated

       since 1983. A sluggish growth rate of 1.5% during 1985–90 has led to

       large budget deficits, declining incomes, and balance-of-payments

       difficulties. Estimates for 1992 show a moderate increase in the

       growth rate based on increased exports, tourism, and government

       investment outlays.

       National product:

       GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $360 million (1993 est.)

       National product real growth rate:

       5% (1992 est.)

       National product per capita:

       $700 (1993 est.)

       Inflation rate (consumer prices):

       4% (1991 est.)

       Unemployment rate:

       over 15.9% (1989)