Moroni Comoros
Comoros (06/05)
Cities: Capital--Moroni (pop. 30,000); Mutsamudu (pop. 20,000). ... The United States recognized the Comorian Government in 1977. The two countries enjoy friendly relations. The U.S. closed its Embassy in Moroni in 1993 and is now represented by a nonresident Ambassador in neighboring Mauritius. ... The country lacks the infrastructure necessary for development. Some villages are not linked to the main road system or at best are connected by tracks usable only by four-wheel-drive vehicles. The islands' ports are rudimentary, although a deepwater facility functions in Anjouan. Only small vessels can approach the existing quays in Moroni on Grande Comore, despite improvements. Long-distance, ocean-going ships must lie offshore and be unloaded by smaller boats; during the cyclone season, this procedure is dangerous, and ships are reluctant to call at the island. Most freight is sent first to Mombasa, Kenya or the island of Reunion and transshipped from there. ... [Read More]
Comoros
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Union of the Comoros is a developing nation located in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. Comoros consists of three islands, Ngazidja (also known as Grand Comore), Moheli, and Anjouan that cover about 900 square miles. Ngazidja is home to the capital city Moroni, and is the most developed of the three islands. Facilities for tourism are limited and telecommunication links are unreliable. French, Arabic, Swahili, and Comorian Creole are spoken. Read the Department of State Background Notes on the Union of Comoros for additional information. ... [Read More]
Comoros
The Government discouraged the practice of religions other than Islam. Christians, in particular, faced restrictions on their ability to practice their faith. There are two Roman Catholic churches, one in Moroni, on the island of Grande Comore, and one in Mutsamudu, on the island of Anjouan. There is one Protestant church in Moroni. Many Christians practiced their faith in private residences as the Government continued restrict the use of the country's three churches to non-citizens. Foreigners were allowed to practice their faith, but they were not allowed to proselytize. ... [Read More]
Comoros
The Government discouraged the practice of religions other than Islam. Christians, in particular, faced restrictions on their ability to practice their faith. The Government continued to restrict the use of the country's three churches to noncitizens. There are two Roman Catholic churches, one in Moroni on the island of Grande Comore and one in Mutsamudu on the island of Anjouan. There is one Protestant church in Moroni. Many Christians practice their faith in private residences. Foreign missionaries work in local hospitals and schools, but they are not allowed to proselytize. ... [Read More]
Comoros
The Union of Comoros is an emerging democracy ruled by President Azali Assoumani, who took power in a coup in April 1999 and subsequently was elected in April 2002 presidential elections described by international observers as free and fair. The country consists of three islands (Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli) and claims a fourth, Mayotte, which is governed by France. Legislative elections, scheduled for March, did not take place during the year. A December ministerial meeting resolved the few remaining issues pertaining to national reconciliation. Among the issues decided at the reconciliation talks was the date for legislative assembly elections, after which a committee will be formed to draft a new constitution. Local elections for the three islands are scheduled to take place in March 2004 with National Elections scheduled for April 2004. The Constitution provides for an independent judiciary, and it was independent in pra ... [Read More]
Comoros
The Government discouraged the practice of religions other than Islam. In particular Christians faced restrictions on their ability to practice their faith. There are two Roman Catholic churches, one in Moroni, on the island of Grande Comore, and one in Mutsamudu, on the island of Anjouan. There is a Protestant church in Moroni. Many Christians practiced their faith in private residences. Foreigners were allowed to practice their faith, but they were not allowed to proselytize. If caught proselytizing, foreigners are deported, while citizens found proselytizing are imprisoned. ... [Read More]
Comoros
There are four separate security forces that reported to three different authorities: The Gendarmerie and Comorian Defense Force, which reported directly to Union President Azali and had responsibility for internal and external security on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli; a police force in and around the capital Moroni that reported to Union President Azali and was responsible for law enforcement and immigration; a local police force on Grande Comore that reported to Grande Comore President Abdou Soule Elbak; and a combined Gendarmerie and police force on the island of Anjouan that reported to Anjouan island president Colonel Mohamed Bacar. The Union Government does not have a police or military presence on Anjouan. The civilian authorities maintained effective control of the security forces. Some members of the security forces committed human rights abuses. ... [Read More]
Comoros
In August 2000, authorities arrested four opposition politicians, including Cheik Ali Bacar Kassim, former Member of Parliament (M.P.) and owner of the opposition radio station Radio Tropique, for allegedly plotting to overthrow Colonel Azali. The four were detained in a military prison, despite a judge's order to transfer them to the civilian prison in Moroni (see Section 1.e.). In November 2000, one of the four escaped from prison. Two others then were released, leaving only Cheik Ali in prison. At the end of November 2000, authorities reportedly freed Cheik Ali on the condition that he leave the country; when he refused to leave, he was returned to prison. Cheik Ali reportedly was denied access to defense counsel until he launched a hunger strike in protest. In June Cheik Ali pled guilty to illegal possession of guns. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison, with 1 year suspended; in August he was released following the completion of 1 year in prison. ... [Read More]
Independent States in the World
African Republic *+Central African RepublicCTBanguiChad *+Republic of ChadCDN'DjamenaChile *+Republic of ChileCISantiagoChina *+ (see note 3)People's Republic of ChinaCHBeijingColombia *+Republic of ColombiaCOBogotáComoros *+Union of ComorosCNMoroniCongo (Brazzaville) *+ ... [Read More]
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