Comoros Overview Country Overview The Comoro archipelago is situated in the Indian ocean north of Madagascar and consists of four main islands of volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs: Ngazidja, Nzwani, Mwali and Mayotte. The islands’ vegetation is rich and varied providing spices and perfume essence for sale abroad. On Ngazidja (Grande Comore), the capital Moroni is a charming town containing modern government buildings, as well as old, narrow, winding streets and a marketplace. There are a number of fine mosques including the Vendredi Mosque that provides an attractive view over the town. Mount Karthala is an active volcano; the more energetic may climb to the top and then descend into the crater. It is usual to make one overnight stop at the shelter provided. Nzwani (Anjouan) island is notable for its waterfalls and abundant vegetation. Restaurants serve good food with spiced sauces, rice-based dishes, cassava, plantain, couscous, barbecued goat meat, seafood and tropical fruits. General Information Area: 1862 sq km (719 sq miles). Population: 527,900 (1998). Population Density: 283.5 per sq km. Capital: Moroni. Population: 23,400 (1990). GEOGRAPHY: The Comoro archipelago is situated in the Indian ocean north of Madagascar and consists of four main islands of volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs: Ngazidja (formerly Grande Comore), Nzwani (formerly Anjouan), Mwali (formerly Mohéli) and Mayotte. The latter is administered by France but is claimed by the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros. Land can only support subsistence agriculture but the surrounding seas are rich in marine life. Government: Federal Islamic Republic. Head of State: President Assoumani Azali, since the military coup of April 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Hamada Madi ‘Boléro’ since 2001. Parliament has been dissolved. Language: The official languages are French, Arabic and Comorian, a blend of Arabic and Swahili. Religion: Muslim with Roman Catholic minority. Time: GMT + 3. Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone Outgoing international calls must be made through the international operator. Country code: 269. Mobile telephone There are currently no mobile networks. Internet Main ISP is ComNet (website: www.snpt.km). A few hotels have Internet access. Post Mail to Western Europe takes at least a week. Press There are no English-language newspapers. The main (weekly) papers are Al Watwan (state-owned) and La Gazette des Comores (independent). L’Archipel (independent) is published monthly. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.89 15.42 9.630 6.005 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.58 11.98 6.035 0.909 Passport/Visa   Passport Required? Visa Required? Return Ticket Required? British Yes Yes Yes Australian Yes Yes Yes Canadian Yes Yes Yes USA Yes Yes Yes OtherEU Yes Yes Yes Japanese Yes Yes Yes PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all. VISAS: Required by all except transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. Types of visa and cost: Tourist: Cfr3400 (approximately €7) for stays between seven to 14 days. Visitors wishing to stay longer than 14 days should contact the Embassy (see Contact Addresses section). Application to: Visas are issued by diplomatic representation of Comoro Islands abroad or on arrival by the Immigration Officer. Payment can be made on departure. Application requirements: (a) Application form (provided at airport). (b) Valid passport. (c) Fee (payable in Comoros Francs, Euros or US Dollars only). (d) Onward or return tickets. (e) Proof of hotel reservation may be required. Money Currency: Comoros Franc (Cfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of Cfr10,000, 5000, 2500, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of Cfr20, 10, 5, 2 and 1, and 20 centimes. The Comoros Franc is part of the French Monetary Area and Euros are also commonly used. The Comoros Franc is tied to the Euro. Currency exchange: Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks in the towns. Banking facilities are very limited on Mwali. Credit & debit cards: There is limited acceptance of most international credit cards (mainly in upmarket hotels), but check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travellers cheques: The Banque Internationale des Comores (BIC) is the only bank which will change travellers cheques. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros. Currency restrictions: There are no restrictions on the import and export of either local or foreign currency. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Comoros Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar: Date Feb ’02 May ’02 Aug ’02 Nov ’02 £1.00= 809.11 780.01 772.21 775.87 $1.00= 565.77 535.24 507.73 490.62 Banking hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1400; Fri 0800-1100. Duty Free The following goods may be imported into the Comoro Islands by persons 18 years of age and over without incurring customs duty: 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500g of tobacco; 1l of alcoholic beverages; 1 bottle of perfume. Prohibited items: Plants or soil. Public Holidays Feb 12 2003 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 5 Muharram (Islamic New Year). Mar 14 Ashoura. Mar 18 Anniversary of the Death of President Said Mohamed Cheikh. May 1 Labour Day. May 14 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad). May 25 Anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity. May 29 Anniversary of the Death of President Ali Soilih. Jul 6 Independence Day. Sep 24 Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Nov 26-28 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 26 Anniversary of the Death of President Ahmed Abdallah. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Feb 2 2004 Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 Muharram (Islamic New Year). Mar 2 Ashoura. Mar 18 Anniversary of the Death of President Said Mohamed Cheikh. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad). May 25 Anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity. May 29 Anniversary of the Death of President Ali Soilih. Jul 6 Independence Day. Sep 12 Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet). Nov 14-16 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 26 Anniversary of the Death of President Ahmed Abdallah. Dec 25 Christmas Day. 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 two to ten days, depending on the region. For more information see the section World of Islam. Health   Special Precautions Certificate Required Yellow Fever No 1 Cholera Yes 2 Typhoid and Polio 3 N/A Malaria 4 N/A 1: Some travellers from areas infected with yellow fever have been asked to provide vaccination certificates, but this is not an official policy. 2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not an official condition of entry to the Comoros Islands. However, an outbreak of cholera was reported on the island of Nzwani in December 1999. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. See the Health appendix. 3: Typhoid fevers are present. 4: Malaria risk exists all year throughout the whole country, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is mefloquine. Food & drink: All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled. Other risks: Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis may be found. Outbreaks of yellow fever occur periodically. Health care: There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. In order to secure even basic medical care, visitors are strongly advised to take out comprehensive health insurance. Travel - International AIR: The national airline, Air Comores, has closed down. Airlines operating to the Comoros Islands include Air Austral, Air Liberté, Air Madagascar, Air Seychelles, Air Tanzania Corporation, Kenya Airways, LAM, Sudan Airlines and Yemenia Yemen Airways. Air France operates regularly from Paris via Réunion. Approximate flight times: To Moroni from London takes a minimum of 20 hours; this includes stopovers (usually in Paris and Réunion). International airports: Moroni International Prince Said Ibrahim (HAH), 25km (16 miles) from the city. Taxis are available to the town (travel time – 30 minutes). Airport facilities (available for international flights) include bars and light refreshments, left luggage facilities (0600-1800) and a post office. There are no money-changing facilities at the airport. Departure tax: None. SEA: There are irregular sailings from Madagascar, Réunion, Mauritius, Zanzibar or East Africa (Mombasa, Kenya) to Moroni or Mutsamudu. These are mostly cargo ships which might carry passengers. Travel - Internal AIR: Each island has an airfield. Small private operators, such as Aeromarine and Air Archipel, operate services between Moroni, Mwali (Mohéli) and Nzwani (Anjouan). SEA: The islands are linked by regular ferry services. Travellers can hire motorboats, sailing craft and canoes in port villages and towns. A boat can be especially useful for Mwali (Mohéli) where the road system is rudimentary. ROAD: Bush taxis (taxis-brousses), hired vehicles or private cars are the only forms of transport on the islands. Traffic drives on the right. All the islands have tarred roads. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are advisable for the outlying islands and in the interior, especially in the rainy season. Roads are narrow and domestic animals often roam free, so visitors should drive slowly. Share-taxis provide transport in and around towns. Car hire: Available on Ngazidja (Grande Comore). Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required. Accommodation Although accommodation on the Comoro Islands is being upgraded, there are only a few hotels and pensions, located mostly in Moroni and Mutsamudu, which handle the needs of travelling business people, government officials and other visitors. Room sharing is quite common. There are simple shelters (gîtes) on the slopes of Karthala (an active volcano). Introduction In common with a few other places, such as the wine-growing areas of France, one of the main attractions of the Comoros is its main non-tourist commercial activity. The islands’ vegetation is rich and varied: 65 per cent of the world’s perfume essence comes from the Comoros, being processed from the blossoms of ylang-ylang, jasmine and orange. Spices, including nutmeg, cloves, pepper, basil and vanilla, are another mainstay of the economy. Ylang-ylang base has uses in hairdressing, the treatment of rheumatism and, mixed with coconut oil, as sun cream. For further information on the Comoro Islands’ economy, see the Business Profile section. NGAZIDJA (GRANDE COMORE): The capital Moroni is a charming, peaceful town containing a few broad squares and modern government buildings, as well as old, narrow, winding streets and a market place. There are numerous fine mosques including the Vendredi Mosque, from the top of which there is an attractive view. The more energetic may climb to the top of Mount Karthala and then descend into the crater of this active volcano. The crater is claimed to be the largest still active anywhere in the world. It is usual to make one overnight stop at the shelter provided. Itsandra, a fishing village 6km (4 miles) from Moroni, has a fine beach and there are opportunities to see dances performed by the local men. The town was once the ancient capital of the island, complete with royal tombs and a fortress. There are hot sulphur springs at Lac Salé and a 14th-century village at Iconi. Mitsamiouli, a town in the north of the island, is known both for its good diving facilities and for having the best Comoran dancers. There are many bats and spiders on the island, the former often appearing in broad daylight. MWALI (MOHÉLI): Dhows (Arab sail boats) are built on the beach at Fomboni on the smallest of the main islands. There is a fine waterfall at Miringoni. Giant turtles may be seen at Niumashuwa Bay. NZWANI (ANJOUAN): This island is notable for its waterfalls and abundant vegetation. The main town of Mutsamudu is built in Swahili-Shirazi style, complete with 17th-century houses with carved doors, twisting alleyways, mosques and a citadel. The ancient capital of Domoni is also worth a visit. The best beaches are in the Bimbini area. There are perfume distilleries at Bambao. MAHORE (MAYOTTE): This French-administered island is surrounded by a coral reef and has good beaches and excellent scuba diving facilities. Tourists may explore the lagoon (claimed to be the largest in the world) by dugout canoe. The town of Dzaoudzi contains some old fortifications worthy of a visit. Pamanzi is a forested islet 5km (3 miles) offshore, fragrant with a wealth of vegetation. At Sulu, a waterfall plunges straight into the sea. There are the remains of an old mosque at Tsingoni. Elsewhere, there are 19th-century sugar refineries. For further information, see the French Overseas Possessions section. Note: Travel to Mayotte from the Comoros Islands may be problematic owing to the fact that this is disputed territory. Sport & Activities Watersports: There is excellent diving in the archipelago. The Trou du Prophète in Misamiouli on Ngazidja, Niumashuwa Bay on Mwali and Pamanzi islet off Mahore are particularly fine. There are many excellent beaches on all the islands and Galawa Beach on Grande Comore has a diving school. Other good beaches include Itsandra, Galawa, Bouni, Chomoni (near a sheltered bay) and the palm-fringed Planet Plage. Pirogue (canoe) races are occasionally staged in the lagoon that surrounds Mahore. Sailing boats and canoes are available for hire in many ports. Hiking: Dziani Boundouni, a sulphurous crater lake at the centre of the sparsely populated island of Mwali (Mohéli) can be reached on day-walks from its capital, Fomboni. Fit hikers may also head up to the Mt Karthala crater on Grande Comore (guides can be hired locally). Owing to political instability, visitors are advised to check the latest travel advice from an official organisation (such as an embassy) before contemplating a trip to Mohéli. Wildlife: The Comoro Islands’ distinctive (and now protected) green turtle can be seen in the marine reserve off Mohéli’s southern coast. Trips by motorised pirogues can be arranged with local fishermen from Niumashuwa. Social Profile Food & Drink: Restaurants serve good food with spiced sauces, rice-based dishes, cassava, plantain, couscous, barbecued goat meat, plentiful seafood and tropical fruits. There may be restrictions on drink within Muslim circles. Shopping: Comoran products can be purchased at Moroni on Ngazidja (Grande Comore). These include gold, pearl and shell jewellery, woven cloth, embroidered skull-caps (koffia) and slippers, carved chests, panels and portes-croix (lecterns), pottery and basketry. Most items can be bought in the villages where they are made. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1800. Social Conventions: Religious customs should be respected, particularly during Ramadan. Dress should be modest although the French residents and tourists tend to be fairly relaxed about what they wear. Tipping: Normally ten per cent. Business Profile Economy: The bulk of the working population is employed in agriculture, which produces vanilla and cloves (the main exports), basil, ylang-ylang (an essence extracted from trees) and copra. There is a small fishing industry and a minimal industrial base devoted mainly to processing vanilla. The tourism industry has grown rapidly during the last ten years to the extent that the service sector as a whole now accounts for half of total domestic output: chronic political instability on the islands has, however, probably prevented the industry from reaching its full potential. Moreover, the agricultural economy is vulnerable to low world commodity prices. Substantial French aid remains essential. France is also the country’s major trading partner, providing almost half of the Comoros’ imports and taking two-thirds of its exports. China, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar are the other major importers into the islands. Business: Lightweight suit or shirt and tie required. Business is conducted in French or Arabic; English is seldom spoken. Office hours: Mon-Thurs 0730-1430, Fri 0730-1100, Sat 0730-1200. Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture, BP 763, Moroni (tel: 730 958; fax: 731 983). Climate The climate is tropical and very warm. Coastal areas are hot and very humid (December to March), interspaced with rains and seasonal cyclones. The upland areas are cooler, particularly at night, and have higher rainfall. Required clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens with waterproofing during the rainy season. Warmer garments and rainwear are needed for the mountains. History and Government History: In the early 15th century, the Arabs settled on the islands, each of which was ruled by separate sultanates. The islands were ceded to the French in 1841. They became a French protectorate in 1886 before being formally adopted as colonial possessions in 1912. The Comoros were then governed as part of Madagascar until 1947 when they became a separate French Overseas Territory. Internal self-government was granted in 1961, although full independence was not achieved until 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 joined the United Nations as the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros. Ahmed Abdallah was elected as the first president. Within months, the instability which has characterised post-independence politics on the islands took effect as Abdallah was overthrown by a coup led by Ali Soilih. In 1978, with the assistance of French mercenaries, Abdallah regained his position with another coup, but his success was short lived as he was assassinated the following year. Abdallah’s successor, Said Mohamed Djohar, managed to hold onto power in the face of both coup attempts and domestic political crises before the return in 1995 of the Comoros Islands’ nemesis, Bob Denard, the leader of the mercenary group that had installed Abdallah in 1978. Although Denard’s latest effort was suppressed a week later by French troops despatched from Réunion, Djohar was killed. By 1996, the situation had calmed sufficiently for scheduled elections to take place. The new Government of Abdulkarim Taki was determined to introduce Islamic law to the islands. This was fiercely resisted in many quarters, especially on the outlying islands of Anjouan and Moheli, which now sought independence from the Comoros group. The pair seceded in August 1997: attempts to return them to the national fold by force were successfully resisted. The following year President Taki died, and was replaced by Ben Said Massounde. The new government proved unable to settle the ongoing political crisis and in May 1999 was overthrown in a military coup led by the Chief of the Army General Staff, Colonel Azzali Assumani. During the next two years, the military government laid plans for a new constitution that would maintain the group as a single country, but with much greater autonomy afforded to the individual islands. In December 2001, it was approved in a national referendum. In May 2002, after several weeks delay, Assoumani was declared President of the newly-enitled Union of Comoros after a disputed election. Government: 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. There is no legislature at present. Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.