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| Independence Year : 1975 Population : 600000 Life Expectancy : 60.0 Capital : 2295 GNP : 4401.00 GNP Old : 4361.00 Local Name : Komori/Comores Government Form : Republic Location : Southern east Africa, group of islands at the Mozambique Channel which separates Madagascar from the African continent. Terrain : Volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills. Climate : Tropical marine Ethnic Group : Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Religions : Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2% Official Website : www.beit-salam.km/ | 
Genral Information - Comoros
Background
Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. 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, and each island maintains its own local government. 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, 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. |
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