Comoros Travel Guide

Comoros — Country and Tourist Information

Browse the Comoros Photo Gallery

Country Facts

Location: Indian Ocean, between the East African coast and Madagascar.
Language: The official languages are French, Arabic and Comorian, a blend of Arabic and Swahili.
Area: 1,862 sq km (719 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 3.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Electricity shortages occur.
Population: 676,000 (2009).
Population Density: 363 per sq km.
Capital City: Moroni. Population: 60,200 (2003).
Government: Federal Islamic Republic.
Head of State: President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi since 2006.
Religion: Muslim (mostly Sunni) with Roman Catholic minority.

Recent History

A former French Overseas Territory, the Comoros only became fully independent in 1975, despite consistent pressure on the French from the islands’ government. The main reason was the position of Mayotte, one of the original Comoros island group, which insisted upon retaining its links with France.

With Mayotte going its own way, the Comoros islands joined the United Nations as the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros, comprising three islands.

Since independence, instability has characterized post-independence politics on the islands, with several coup attempts.

A 2001 constitutional settlement states that the presidency must rotate every four
years between the three islands. The candidates in the most recent election were all from the island of Anjouan. Following the first round of presidential elections on 10 June 2007, Colonel Mohamed Bacar was re-elected as Anjouan President. However, these elections have been rejected by the international community.

Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi won the 2006 presidential elections. Sambi, seen as a moderate Islamist, took 58% of the vote. His election is expected to be the first peaceful transition of power for 30 years in a country which has witnessed 19 coups or coup attempts.
A 2001 constitutional settlement states that the presidency must rotate every four
years between the three islands. The candidates in the most recent election were all from the island of Anjouan. Following the first round of presidential elections on 10 June 2007, Colonel Mohamed Bacar was re-elected as Anjouan President. However, these elections have been rejected by the international community.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +269. Outgoing international calls must be made through the international operator.

Mobile Telephone

Limited coverage.

Internet

A few hotels have Internet access.

Media

There is no single national newspaper. Although several private newspapers criticize the government, self-censorship is reportedly common. Local radio and TV stations operate without overt government interference. 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. 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.

Post

Mail to Western Europe takes at least one week.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
15 Feb Birth of the Prophet
18 Mar Anniversary of the Death of President Said Mohamed Cheikh
1 May Labor Day
25 May Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity
29 May Anniversary of the Death of President Ali Soilih
6 Jul Independence Day
30 Aug - 31 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
6 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
26 Nov Anniversary of the Death of President Ahmed Abdallah
26 Nov Muharram (Islamic New Year)
5 Dec Ashoura
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
4 Feb Birth of the Prophet
18 Mar Anniversary of the Death of President Said Mohamed Cheikh
1 May Labor Day
25 May Anniversary of the Organization of African Unity
29 May Anniversary of the Death of President Ali Soilih
6 Jul Independence Day
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
15 Nov Muharram (Islamic New Year)
24 Nov Ashoura
26 Nov Anniversary of the Death of President Ahmed Abdallah
25 Dec Christmas Day
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 two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information

British High Commission in Mauritius. (There is no British Embassy or Honorary Consul in Comoros.)

7th Floor, Les Cascades Building, Edith Cavell Street, Port Louis, Mauritius
Tel: (230) 202 9400.
Website: www.ukinmauritius.fco.gov.uk/en
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0745-1545; Fri 0745-1330.