Comoros: A Question of Identity

“The value of identity of course is that so often with it comes purpose.” -Richard R Grant

How we identify ourselves so often shapes who we are and gives us direction. The way we think about ourselves affects the decisions we make, and how others think about us affects how they interact with us. Who are the people of Comoros? Are they African because of geography, or Arab because of their religion, or European because of their history? Where is their allegiance and to whom do they want to be identified with? Well, the answer depends on which island you live on. The island of Mayotte choose to stay associated with France when the other three islands broke away. Now Mayotte is better developed and more affluent, and that is where all of the people try to flock to. Anjouan tried later on to reunite itself with France, but they wouldn't take them back. Now different people in the UN think it is their business to force the people of Mayotte to rejoin with the rest of Comoros despite their objections. Some of the people of Comoros don't even care that Mayotte is not officially part of their country and they think they should be able to travel between the islands as they please, ignoring customs and passports. However the people on these islands choose to align themselves, we know that a person's true identity comes through Christ. When we know whose we are, who we are tends not to matter so much. This month lets pray for the people of Comoros to find true purpose in life, not by who they are or what they have, but by discovering the life changing person of Jesus Christ.
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Comoros

Basic Info: Comoros (its name derived from the Arabic word القمر qamar meaning "moon") is an archipelago near Southern Africa that is slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC making it the third-smallest African nation by area. It consists of three volcanic islands and is between Madagascar and Mozambique with an important location at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel. The main ethnic groups are Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, and Sakalava. Arabic and French are the official languages, but Shikomoro (a blend of Swahili and Arabic) is also widely spoken. The population is only 737,284 people making it the sixth-smallest African nation by population—although it has one of the highest population densities in Africa. The population is 28% urban and 56.5% are literate. Comoros is also a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking. Children are subjected to forced labor within the country for domestic service, roadside and market vending, baking, and agriculture. While Comoros does not fully comply with the minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, it is making significant efforts to do so. The government, in partnership with international organizations, began implementing a National Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration Plan, through which 40 former child soldiers, some of whom were trafficking victims, received protective services. It also started a national action plan to address the worst forms of child labor. However, minor efforts were made to prevent the use of forced child labor or to investigate suspected cases.

Government: Comoros has had a turbulent history since its independence from France in 1975. The nation has endured more than 20 coups since then and the two smaller islands, Moheli and Anjouan, constantly protest for autonomy or independence. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. Azali seized power in a bloodless coup, and helped negotiate the 2000 Fomboni Accords power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands (every 4 years), and each island maintains its own local government. The new constitution granted each island greater autonomy, but has not prevented rebellions, secession attempts and further intervention from the African Union. Azali won the 2002 presidential election, and each island in the archipelago elected its own president. Azali stepped down in 2006 and President Sambi was elected to office. In 2007, Mohamed Bacar effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union, refusing to step down in favor of fresh Anjouanais elections when Comoros' other islands held legitimate elections in July. The African Union (AU) initially attempted to resolve the political crisis by applying sanctions and a naval blockade on Anjouan, but in March 2008, AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The move was generally welcomed by the island's inhabitants. As of May 2011, the President is Ikililou Dhoinine. The legal system is a mixture of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law. The Supreme Court or Cour Supremes is made up of two members appointed by the president, two members elected by the Federal Assembly, one elected by the Council of each island, and others are former presidents of the republic.

Economy: Comoros is considered one of the world’s poorest countries because it is underdeveloped, poor, and overpopulated. The three islands are not satisfactorily linked by transportation, they have few natural resources, and they have a mostly young and rapidly increasing population. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity (60% of the population is below poverty level), high unemployment (20% is unemployed), and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, contributes 40% to GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang (perfume essence) and Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires. The country is not self-sufficient in producing its own food. Rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is hindered by internal political disputes - lacks a comprehensive strategy to attract foreign investment and is struggling to upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. Remittances from 150,000 Comorans abroad help supplement GDP. In September 2009 the IMF approved Comoros for a three-year $21 million loan, but the government has struggled to meet program targets, such as restricting spending on wages, strengthening domestic revenue collection, and moving forward on structural reforms. Only about 3 in 100 people have a landline phone, and about 20 in 100 people have cellular service. There is a national state-owned TV station and a TV station run by the Anjouan regional government. There is a national state-owned radio, and regional governments on the islands of Grande Comore and Anjouan each operate a radio station. A few independent and small community radio stations operate on the islands of Grande Comore and Moheli, and these two islands have access to Mayotte Radio and French TV.

Religion: Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% (mostly on the island of Mayotte)
Until 1973, Comoros was almost completely unevangelized. The vast majority of the population is Muslim, and Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise. However, most are involved in occult practices through witchcraft, curses and spirit possession. Many young people—disillusioned with life in this society that offers so little hope—attempt to find solace in drugs, sex or the opportunity to leave the islands. There are severe restrictions on Christians. Evangelism is forbidden, and those who convert to Christianity can expect severe reprisals from the community and from their own family. Harassment and persecution have risen in frequency and intensity in recent years.
Information compiled from CIAWorldFactBook “Comoros” ; VOMC “Comoros” www.persecution.net
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The Comoros


The Comoros Islands - The Union of the Comoros


Anjouan: a historical perspective (March 26, 2008)


Anjouan: The fall of Colonel Bacar (April 7, 2008) (Warning: intense fighting scenes)


Controversy Island (April 7, 2011)