Happy Independence Day Comoros

“If you steal while you carry your son on your back, you teach him to steal” - Comorian Proverb

(Comoros flag (1993-Present))

Comoros is a group of 3 islands off the west coast of Africa.

(Map of where Comoros is located)

Its capital is Moroni. Moroni is also its largest city. The official languages are Comorian, Arabic and French. The country is 727 square miles. Comoros is 90% African, 4% Asian and 1% European. 98% of Comoros practice Islam and 2% practice Christianity. The total population is 798,000. The climate is tropical. Comoros is a federal presidential republic.

(Moroni, capital of Comoros)

Comoros cuisine consists of fish, stews, rice and meat.

(Comoros cuisine)

The major style of music is twarab.

(Comorian woman performing twarab music)

Comoros’ most popular sport is soccer.

(Comoros’ soccer team)

Comoros was 1st inhabited in the 6th century AD. In 632 Islam 1st came to the islands. From the 11th to the 15th centuries, trade with the island of Madagascar and merchants from the Middle East flourished. In 1503 the Portuguese came to the islands. In 1793 Malagasy warriors from Madagascar came to the islands. In 1841 the French colonized the islands. In 1865 40% of the population consisted of slaves.

(A painting of slavery in Comoros)

In 1908 the islands were unified under a single administration. In 1912 the colony and the protectorates were abolished and the islands became a province of the colony of Madagascar. In 1973 referendums were held on all four of the islands. Three voted for independence by large margins, while Mayotte voted against, and remains under French administration. On July 6th, 1975 Comoros gained its independence.

(Comoros flag (1975-1976))

Ahmed Abdallah became the 1st president. Prince Said Mohamed Jaffar removed Abdallah the same year. In 1976 Jaffar was ousted in favor of his Minister of Defense Ali Soilih. In 1978 Bob Denard came to overthrow President Soilih and reinstate Abdallah with the support of the French, Rhodesian and South African governments.

(Ahmed Abdallah)

Soilih was then killed. In 1989 Abdallah was shot dead in his office. Said Mohamed Djohar then became president. In 1995 Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim became president.

(Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim)

The islands of Anjouan and Mohéli declared their independence from the Comoros in 1997. In 1998 Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde became president. In 1999 Colonel Azali Assoumani, Army Chief of Staff, seized power in a bloodless coup.

(Azali Assoumani)

In 2006 Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi became president. In 2008 hundreds of soldiers from the African Union and the Comoros seized rebel held Anjouan. In 2010 Ikililou Dhoinine became president.

(Ikililou Dhoinine)

Today marks the 42nd anniversary of Comoros’ independence and we would like to say happy independence day Comoros.

Videos of Comoros Independence

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2-j4lqQINE  “The Comoros / جزر القمر‎ / The Union of the Comoros / Union des Comores”
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbOhiJgFXD4  “2014 Comoros Independence Day parade”