Comoros is an independent nation in Eastern Africa. With the capital city of Moroni, Comoros 2020 population is estimated at 869,612 according to countryaah. The Comorian islands are believed to have been inhabited since the 5th century AD. Throughout the period of the European Middle Ages, new ethnic groups arrived in the islands, from both the African mainland and the Middle East. Between 1908 and 1975 the Comoros were a French colony.
The first residents were probably Malays who immigrated around the year 500, possibly via Madagascar. After the Malays, Bantu people came from East Africa. During the 1400s and 1500s, Arab and Persian merchants began arriving in the islands and brought with them Islam. The Comoros developed into a center for trade in spices and slaves. From the 1780s, the islanders themselves were haunted by slave hunters from Madagascar.
- AbbreviationFinder.org: Comprehensive guide to and popular abbreviations of Comoros, covering history, economy, and social conditions.
At that time, the islands were divided into a dozen small areas ruled by the sultan with Arabic roots. The Sultanate was constantly in feud with one another, which the French used in the mid-19th century to take control of the island of Mayotte, and half a century later also over the other three islands. In 1908, the Comoros formally became a French colony. The colonial power relied on the old Arab upper class and ruthlessly defeated the popular uprisings that existed. Much of the profits from the plantation’s export crops went directly to France. For Comoros political system, please check cancermatters.
In 1961, the Comoros gained internal autonomy, but the demands for full independence nevertheless grew strong. During the 1960s, several political parties were formed, dominated by the conservative, French-friendly elite. An independence movement also emerged among Comoros abroad. However, it came as late as the 1970s before independence could become a reality.
2015
June
New free trade agreement
The Comoros and 25 other countries agree on a new free trade agreement, the Tripartite Free Trade Area, which covers most of Africa between Egypt in the north and South Africa in the south. However, before the agreement can come into force, negotiations are required and the agreement is approved by the parliaments of the countries.
February
Shared result in elections to Union Parliament
The second and final round of elections to the European Parliament is being carried out. When the results of the two rounds are combined, 8 of the 24 mandates go to Union President Ikililou Dhoinine’s support party Union for the Development of the Comoros (UDC), while former President Zambi’s support party Juwa gets 7 seats. Collection for Comoros Reconstruction (CRC) and Democratic Collection for Comoros (DC) each receive 2 seats. The remaining 5 seats are distributed between two small parties and three independent candidates. The turnout is 73 percent. Election observers from AU are present at both rounds.
January
First round of elections to Union Parliament
The first round of elections to the European Parliament is held, after being postponed twice, partly because of problems with voting cards. The election should have been held by April 2014. 3 of the 24 national mandates can be appointed after the first round of elections. In the other 21 electoral districts, a second round of voting must be held, as no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote. The turnout is 71 percent.
