Government Federal Islamic Republic. Head of State: President Azali Assoumani, since the military coup of April 1999. Recent history: Following the military coup of May 1999, the existing 1996 constitution and the Federal Assembly were suspended. A new constitution allowing for greater autonomy and individual elected administrations on each of the islands was introduced
in 2002. Executive power is in the hands of the President, who is elected for a six-year term. Colonel Azzali Assoumani was declared President of the newly entitled Union of Comoros – which includes Anjouan and Moheli – after a disputed election in May 2002. By mid-2003, the new Government had faced just a single coup plot. Under the new constitutional arrangements, each island Governor may appoint eight Ministers to deal with local affairs, whilst the Union authorities will control foreign affairs, finance, defense, justice and religious matters. However, there remained areas where the division of authority was unclear, resulting in the signature of an agreement in 2003 to resolve the crisis. As a result, Parliamentary elections were held in 2004. The majority of seats were won by island rather than state candidates.
Language The official languages are French, Arabic and Comorian, a blend of Arabic and Swahili.
Religion Muslim (mostly Sunni) with Roman Catholic minority.
Telephone Outgoing international calls must be made through the international operator. Country code: 269.
Mobile telephone Limited coverage.
Internet A few hotels have Internet access.
Post Mail to Western Europe takes at least one week.
MEDIA Press: There is no single national newspaper. Although several private newspapers criticize the Government, self-censorship is reportedly common. The main (weekly) papers are Al Watwan (state-owned) published on Grand Comore, Kuesi published on the French island of Mayotte and La Gazette des Comores (independent). L’Archipel (independent) is published monthly. There are no English-language newspapers. Radio/TV: There is a national radio station, Radio Comoros, and a national TV service. RFO Mayotte, run by French public radio and TV, broadcasts French and locally-produced radio and TV programs from the French island of Mayotte and can be received in parts of the archipelago. Other radio stations include: Radio Dziyalandze Mutsamudu (RDM), an FM station on Anjouan, which relays Radio France Internationale and Radio Ngazidja, the official station on Grand Comore. Local radio and TV stations operate without overt Government interference.
Public Holidays Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.
Jan 10 2006: Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 31: Muharram (Islamic New Year). Feb 9: Ashoura. Mar 18: Anniversary of the Death of President Said Mohamed Cheikh. May 25: Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity. May 29: Anniversary of the Death of President Ali Soilih. Jul 6: Independence Day. Oct 22-24: Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 26: Anniversary of the Death of President Ahmed Abdallah. Dec 25: Christmas Day. Dec 31: Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Jan 20 2007: Muharram (Islamic New Year). Jan 30: Ashoura. Mar 18: Anniversary of the Death of President Said Mohamed Cheikh. May 25: Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity. May 29: Anniversary of the Death of President Ali Soilih.
Note Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam section.
Contact Information:
Location Indian Ocean, between the East African coast and Madagascar.
Time GMT + 3.
Société Comorienne de Tourisme et Hôtellerie (COMOTEL) Itsandra Hotel, BP 1027, Njazidja, Comoros Tel: 732 365.
Embassy of the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros in France 20 rue Marbeau, 75016 Paris, France Tel: (1) 4067 9054. Fax: (1) 4845 1365. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1600.
Honorary Consulate in the UK Flat 6, 24-26 Avenue Road, London NW8 6DU, UK Tel: (020) 7722 1146. E-mail: kchehabi@blueyonder.co.uk
Permanent Mission of the Comoros to the United Nations 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017, USA Tel: (212) 750 1637. Website: www.un.int/comoros
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