The Coup-Prone Archipelago of the Moon
The Comoros — three volcanic islands between Madagascar and Mozambique — have had more coups and coup attempts than almost any country on Earth, roughly 20 since independence in 1975, many orchestrated by the French mercenary Bob Denard (who personally led four coups and helped overthrow or protect various presidents in the 1970s-1990s). The islands have struggled with political instability, poverty, and the dispute with France over Mayotte — the fourth island, which voted to remain French in 1974 and remains a French overseas department.
The Comoros claims Mayotte (and the Comorian flag displays four stars for the four islands, including Mayotte) — a territorial dispute that continues to strain Franco-Comorian relations. Mayotte is significantly wealthier than the independent Comoros, driving irregular migration.
Comoros is one of the world’s poorest countries (~$1,500 GDP per capita) and depends heavily on remittances from the diaspora in France (approximately 200,000+ Comorians live in France) and agriculture (the country is one of the world’s top producers of ylang-ylang — essential oil used in perfume, including Chanel No. 5).
The islands are on the Mozambique Channel — a zone of high tropical cyclone risk — and are 99% Muslim, making them one of the most Muslim countries in Africa. The three islands rotate the presidency of the union every 5 years among themselves.
A Brief History
Swahili coast trading centres. French protectorate from 1886. Independence in 1975 (Mayotte voted to remain French). Multiple coups, often mercenary-led. Union restructured 2001-2002.
Geography and Climate
Comoros covers 1,862 km² across three islands (Grande Comore/Ngazidja, Mohéli/Mwali, Anjouan/Nzwani). Volcanic, mountainous. Climate: tropical.
Culture, Language and Religion
Comorian, French, and Arabic are official. Religion: approximately 99% Muslim (Sunni). Culture is Swahili-Arab with French colonial influences.
The Economy
Comoros has a low-income economy (~$1.3 billion GDP). Ylang-ylang, cloves, vanilla, and remittances are key.
Travel Guide
Entry: Visa on arrival. Mount Karthala hike and Mohéli beaches are main attractions.
Surprising Facts
- Comoros has had 20+ coups and coup attempts since independence in 1975.
- Bob Denard — the French mercenary — led four coups in Comoros personally.
- Mayotte — the fourth island of the archipelago — voted to remain French and remains a French overseas department.
- The coelacanth — a prehistoric fish thought extinct for 66 million years — was rediscovered in Comorian waters in 1938.
- Comoros is one of the world’s top ylang-ylang producers — the essential oil used in Chanel No. 5.
- Mount Karthala (2,361 m) on Grande Comore is one of the world’s most active volcanoes, last erupting in 2006.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.