World > Africa > Comoros > Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

Comoros - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS The Union of Comoros is ruled by President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi. Comoros has been plagued by political instability and civil strife following numerous coups and secession attempts since independence from France in 1975. Former President Azali seized power in a bloodless coup in April 1999, overthrowing interim President Tadijiddine Ben Said Massounde, who himself had held the office since the death of democratically elected President Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim in November 1998. In May 1999, Azali decreed a constitution that gave him both executive and legislative powers. When Azali took power he had pledged to step down in 2000 and relinquish control to a democratically elected president. Instead, in 2001, Azali resigned from the military and ran as a civilian candidate for the national presidency. He was elected in 2002 in flawed but fair elections. On May 26, 2006, following a two-stage electoral process that was generally free and fair, Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi was installed as the new President of the Union of the Comoros. Sambi's inaugural address included a promise to bring justice and development to the Comoros. Principal Government Officials President--Ahmed Abdallah Sambi Minister of Foreign Affairs--Ahmed Ben Said Jaffar Representative to the United States and Ambassador to the United Nations--Mahmoud M. Aboud Comoros maintains a mission to the United States at 336 E. 45th St., 2d floor, New York, NY 10017 (tel. 212-750-1637).