The Comoros Islands have long been a place of cultural convergence. The ancestors of the Comorian people were a mix of African natives, Arab and Persian traders, and other ethnic groups. In ancient times, Arab and Persian traders arrived on these islands through maritime trade routes, bringing Islam and Arab cultural influences. Over time, Comoros occupied a significant position in trade between the Arab world and the African continent. The Comorian people maintained extensive contact with external cultures, absorbing elements from Arab, Persian, and Indian traditions, which laid the foundation for the later development of Comorian culture.
In the early 19th century, Comoros became a French colony. French rule had a profound impact on Comorian society and culture while also sparking anti-colonial sentiments on the islands. France implemented colonial exploitation, using resources such as spices as a source of economic revenue, while the local population lived under poverty and oppression. Comorians were almost entirely deprived of political rights, and the colonial government imposed strict administrative controls. Despite the oppression, the people of Comoros never ceased their struggle for independence. During the wave of decolonization across Africa in the 1960s, the national awakening and aspirations for independence on the Comoros Islands grew stronger.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Comorian independence movement became an issue France could no longer ignore. The French government recognized the inevitability of Comoros' independence and began preparing for it. On July 6, 1975, Comoros declared independence. After gaining independence, the country adopted a centralized government system in an effort to promote unity among the islands. Abdallah Abdou became the first president of independent Comoros, receiving widespread support during the independence referendum. Although his term was short, his leadership held significant symbolic value for the country's independence and initial state-building efforts.
To ensure a balance of power among the three major islands—Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan—Comoros implemented a unique rotational presidency system. According to the constitution, the presidency rotates among the islands every five years. The current president, Azali Assoumani, was first elected in 2016. In 2019, he amended the constitution to allow consecutive terms and was re-elected in the same year. On January 14, 2024, he won the presidential election again with 62.97% of the vote, continuing his tenure as President of Comoros.
The Comoros Islands have long been a place of cultural convergence. The ancestors of the Comorian people were a mix of African natives, Arab and Persian traders, and other ethnic groups. In ancient times, Arab and Persian traders arrived on these islands through maritime trade routes, bringing Islam and Arab cultural influences. Over time, Comoros occupied a significant position in trade between the Arab world and the African continent. The Comorian people maintained extensive contact with external cultures, absorbing elements from Arab, Persian, and Indian traditions, which laid the foundation for the later development of Comorian culture.
In the early 19th century, Comoros became a French colony. French rule had a profound impact on Comorian society and culture while also sparking anti-colonial sentiments on the islands. France implemented colonial exploitation, using resources such as spices as a source of economic revenue, while the local population lived under poverty and oppression. Comorians were almost entirely deprived of political rights, and the colonial government imposed strict administrative controls. Despite the oppression, the people of Comoros never ceased their struggle for independence. During the wave of decolonization across Africa in the 1960s, the national awakening and aspirations for independence on the Comoros Islands grew stronger.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Comorian independence movement became an issue France could no longer ignore. The French government recognized the inevitability of Comoros' independence and began preparing for it. On July 6, 1975, Comoros declared independence. After gaining independence, the country adopted a centralized government system in an effort to promote unity among the islands. Abdallah Abdou became the first president of independent Comoros, receiving widespread support during the independence referendum. Although his term was short, his leadership held significant symbolic value for the country's independence and initial state-building efforts.
To ensure a balance of power among the three major islands—Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan—Comoros implemented a unique rotational presidency system. According to the constitution, the presidency rotates among the islands every five years. The current president, Azali Assoumani, was first elected in 2016. In 2019, he amended the constitution to allow consecutive terms and was re-elected in the same year. On January 14, 2024, he won the presidential election again with 62.97% of the vote, continuing his tenure as President of Comoros.
