Comoros
With picture-postcard beaches, the Comoros islands are trying to consolidate political stability amid tensions between semi-autonomous islands and the central government. A history of political violence has left the country desperately poor and heavily dependent on foreign aid and remittances from emigres. At times, the country has teetered on the brink of disintegration.
The three Indian Ocean islands have experienced more than 20 coups or attempted coups, beginning just weeks after independence from France in 1975. To add to the country's troubles, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared unilateral independence in a violent conflict in 1997. In an effort to bring the breakaway islands back into the fold, a 2001 constitution granted Moheli, Anjouan and the largest island, Grande Comore, their own presidents and greater autonomy. The Union of the Comoros retained control of security and financial matters.
The presidency of the union rotates between the three islands. The former incumbent, Azali Assoumani, represented Grande Comore. His successor is from Anjouan.
Iranian-trained Sunni Muslim cleric Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, popularly known as "the Ayatollah", became the Comoran leader in the first peaceful change of power in the country's post-independence history. He won the May 2006 presidential election with 58% of the vote. Sambi, a former MP, campaigned on promises to fight unemployment and corruption. He dismissed charges from his opponents that he is an Islamic extremist.
A president from Moheli is set to take office in 2010.
Natural resources are in short supply and the islands' chief exports - vanilla, cloves and perfume essence - are prone to price fluctuations.
The descendants of Arab traders, Malay immigrants and African peoples contribute to the islands' complex ethnic mix.
The island of Mayotte, while claimed by the Government of the Comoros, remains a dependency of France. The Comoros have never accepted the loss of Mayotte, and successive governments have lobbied for its return to Comoran control. But the Mahorais (people of Mayotte) remain firmly against such a move.
Comoros has experienced frequent strikes, civil unrest and political coups in recent years, which have sometimes resulted in violent clashes. Foreign residents and visitors have not been targeted, but the potential for further outbreaks of civil disorder in urban areas remains.
