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Africa :: Comoros

- ## Introduction :: COMOROS

- Background:
  The archipelago of the Comoros in the Indian Ocean, composed of the islands of Mayotte, Anjouan, Moheli, and Grand Comore declared independence from France on 6 July 1975. France did not recognize the independence of Mayotte, which remains under French administration. Since independence, Comoros has endured political instability through realized and attempted coups. In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli declared independence from Comoros. In 1999, military chief Col. AZALI Assoumani seized power of the entire government in a bloodless coup; he initiated the 2000 Fomboni Accords, a power-sharing agreement in which the federal presidency rotates among the three islands, and each island maintains its local government. AZALI won the 2002 federal presidential election as president from Grand Comore Island, and each island in the archipelago elected its president. AZALI stepped down in 2006 and President SAMBI was elected to office as president from Anjouan. In 2007, Mohamed BACAR effected Anjouan's de-facto secession from the Union of Comoros, refusing to step down 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 to Anjouan, but in March 2008 the AU and Comoran soldiers seized the island. The island's inhabitants generally welcomed the move. In May 2011, Ikililou DHOININE won the presidency in peaceful elections widely deemed to be free and fair. Former President SAMBI’s supporters recently have attempted to remove the stipulation that the presidency rotate among the islands so that he can run again in the national elections, which are expected in early 2016.

- ## Geography :: COMOROS

- Location:
  Southern Africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the Mozambique Channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern Madagascar and northern Mozambique
  Geographic coordinates:
  12 10 S, 44 15 E
  Map references:
  Africa
  Area:
  total: 2,235 sq km
  land: 2,235 sq km
  water: 0 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Area - comparative:
  slightly more than 12 times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  0 km
  Coastline:
  340 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical marine; rainy season (November to May)
  Terrain:
  volcanic islands, interiors vary from steep mountains to low hills
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Karthala 2,360 m
  Natural resources:
  fish
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 84.4%
  arable land 46.7%; permanent crops 29.6%; permanent pasture 8.1%
  forest: 1.4%
  other: 14.2% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  1.3 sq km NA (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  1.2 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.01 cu km/yr (48%/5%/47%)
  per capita: 16.86 cu m/yr (1999)
  Natural hazards:
  cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); volcanic activity on Grand Comore
  volcanism: Karthala (elev. 2,361 m) on Grand Comore Island last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud
  Environment - current issues:
  soil degradation and erosion results from crop cultivation on slopes without proper terracing; deforestation
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  important location at northern end of Mozambique Channel

- ## People and Society :: COMOROS

- Nationality:
  noun: Comoran(s)
  adjective: Comoran
  Ethnic groups:
  Antalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava
  Languages:
  Arabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; a blend of Swahili and Arabic) (Comorian)
  Religions:
  Sunni Muslim 98%, Roman Catholic 2%
  Population:
  780,971 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 40.77% (male 158,654/female 159,722)
  15-24 years: 18.98% (male 71,694/female 76,500)
  25-54 years: 32.25% (male 119,595/female 132,299)
  55-64 years: 4.17% (male 14,414/female 18,135)
  65 years and over: 3.84% (male 14,018/female 15,940) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 75.6%
  youth dependency ratio: 70.7%
  elderly dependency ratio: 4.9%
  potential support ratio: 20.4% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 19.4 years
  male: 18.7 years
  female: 20 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  1.77% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Birth rate:
  27.84 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  Death rate:
  7.57 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Net migration rate:
  -2.53 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 175
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 28.3% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 2.67% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  MORONI (capital) 56,000 (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
  total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  335 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 63.55 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 74.18 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 52.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 19
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 63.85 years
  male: 61.57 years
  female: 66.19 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Total fertility rate:
  3.6 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 43
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  19.4% (2012)
  Health expenditures:
  5.8% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  Hospital bed density:
  2.2 beds/1,000 population (2006)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 92.6% of population
  rural: 89.1% of population
  total: 90.1% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 7.4% of population
  rural: 10.9% of population
  total: 9.9% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 48.3% of population
  rural: 30.9% of population
  total: 35.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 51.7% of population
  rural: 69.1% of population
  total: 35.8% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  5.8% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  16.9% (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Education expenditures:
  7.6% of GDP (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 15
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 77.8%
  male: 81.8%
  female: 73.7% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 11 years
  male: NA
  female: NA (2013)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 39,550
  percentage: 27% (2000 est.)

- ## Government :: COMOROS

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Union of the Comoros
  conventional short form: Comoros
  local long form: Udzima wa Komori (Comorian); Union des Comores (French); Jumhuriyat al Qamar al Muttahidah (Arabic)
  local short form: Komori (Comorian); Comores (French); Juzur al Qamar (Arabic)
  etymology: name derives from the Arabic designation "Juzur al Qamar" meaning "Islands of the Moon"
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Moroni
  geographic coordinates: 11 42 S, 43 14 E
  time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  3 islands and 4 municipalities*; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Domoni*, Fomboni*, Grande Comore (N'gazidja), Moheli (Mwali), Moroni*, Moutsamoudou*
  Independence:
  6 July 1975 (from France)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
  Constitution:
  previous 1996; latest ratified 23 December 2001; amended 2009, 2014 (2015)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Citizenship:
  citizenship by birth: no
  citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros
  dual citizenship recognized: no
  residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Ikililou DHOININE (since 26 May 2011)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: presidency rotates every 4 years among the elected presidents of the Union's 3 main islands; Union president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed (first round by the island voters only; second round by simple majority vote of all island voters; election last held on 7 November and 26 December 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
  election results: Ikililou DHOININE elected president; percent of vote in second round - Ikililou DHOININE 61.1%, Mohamed Said FAZUL 32.7%, Abdou DJABIR 6.2%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral Assembly of the Union (33 seats; 24 members elected by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed and 9 members indirectly selected by island assemblies; members serve 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 25 January and 22 February 2015 (next to be held in 2020)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UPDC 8, PJ 7, RDC 2, CRC 2, RADHI 1, PEC 1, independents 3; note - in addition 9 seats will be filled by nominations from the 3 island assemblies
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 7 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 8 members)
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges - 2 selected by the president of the Union, 2 by the Assembly of the Union, and 1 each by the 3 island councils; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members appointed - 1 by the president, 1 each by the 3 vice presidents, 1 by the Assembly, and 1 each by the island executives; all members serve 6-year renewable terms
  subordinate courts: Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de premiere instance; island village (community) courts; religious courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assoumani]
  Democratic Rally of the Comoros or RDC [Mouigni BARAKA]
  Juwa Party or PJ [Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI]
  Party for the Comorian Agreement (Partie Pour l'Entente Commorienne) or PEC [Fahmi Said IBRAHIM]
  Rally for an Alternative of Harmonious and Integrated Development or RADHI [Abdou SOEFO]
  Rally with a Development Intiiative for Enlightened Youth or RIDJA [Said Larifou]
  Union for the Development of the Comoros or UPDC [Mohamed HALIFA]
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  Federation Comorienne des Consomateurs or FCC [Mohamed Said Abdallah MCHANGANA]
  Mouvement des Entreprises comorienne or MODEC [Faharate HOUSSEIN]
  Union des Chambres de Commerce et de l'Industrie et de l'Agriculture or UCCIA [Fahmy THABIT]
  Confederation des Travailleurs Comoriens or CTC
  other: environmentalists
  International organization participation:
  ACP, AfDB, AMF, AOSIS, AU, CAEU (candidates), COMESA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Mohamed SOILIH (since 18 November 2014)
  chancery: Mission to the US, 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 418, New York, NY 10017
  telephone: [1] (212) 750-1637
  FAX: [1] (212) 750-1657
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  the US does not have an embassy in Comoros; the ambassador to Madagascar is accredited to Comoros
  Flag description:
  four equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), white, red, and blue, with a green isosceles triangle based on the hoist; centered within the triangle is a white crescent with the convex side facing the hoist and four white, five-pointed stars placed vertically in a line between the points of the crescent; the horizontal bands and the four stars represent the four main islands of the archipelago - Mwali, N'gazidja, Ndzuwani, and Mahore (Mayotte - department of France, but claimed by Comoros)
  note: the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional symbols of Islam
  National symbol(s):
  four stars and crescent; national colors: green, white
  National anthem:
  name: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands)
  lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH
  note: adopted 1978

- ## Economy :: COMOROS

- Economy - overview:
  One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of three islands that are hampered by inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Currently, authorities are negotiating with the IMF for triennial program assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for 50% of 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; and Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires and extreme weather. Despite agriculture’s importance to the economy, the country imports roughly 70% of its food; rice, the main staple, accounts for the bulk of imports. The government - which is racked by internal political disputes - is struggling to provide basic services, upgrade education and technical training, privatize commercial and industrial enterprises, improve health services, diversify exports, promote tourism, and reduce the high population growth rate. Recurring political instability, sometimes initiated from outside the country, has inhibited growth. Remittances from about 200,000 Comoran diaspora contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP. In December 2012, IMF and the World Bank's International Development Association supported $176 million in debt relief for Comoros, resulting in a 59% reduction of its future external debt service over a period of 40 years. In late 2013, a US-based investment company invested $200 million in a project to explore for hydrocarbons in Comoran territorial waters, the largest financial investment in the country’s history.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $1.19 billion (2014 est.)
  $1.167 billion (2013 est.)
  $1.128 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 201
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $697 million (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  2% (2014 est.)
  3.5% (2013 est.)
  3% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,500 (2014 est.)
  $1,500 (2013 est.)
  $1,500 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 217
  Gross national saving:
  11.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  11.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
  12.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 139
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 104.1%
  government consumption: 29.1%
  investment in fixed capital: -1.7%
  investment in inventories: 7.4%
  exports of goods and services: 17.5%
  imports of goods and services: -56.4%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 49.5%
  industry: 12.5%
  services: 38% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  vanilla, cloves, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc)
  Industries:
  fishing, tourism, perfume distillation
  Industrial production growth rate:
  3% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Labor force:
  245,200 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 80%
  industry and services: 20% (1996 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  20% (1996 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Population below poverty line:
  60% (2002 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 0.9%
  highest 10%: 55.2% (2004)
  Budget:
  revenues: $164.8 million
  expenditures: $169.1 million (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  23.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -0.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  1.3% (2014 est.)
  1.6% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Central bank discount rate:
  1.93% (31 December 2010)
  2.21% (31 December 2009)
  country comparison to the world: 121
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  10.5% (31 December 2014 est.)
  10.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Stock of narrow money:
  $133.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $159.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Stock of broad money:
  $269.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $251.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 188
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $166.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $167.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Current account balance:
  -$80 million (2014 est.)
  -$107 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Exports:
  $18.3 million (2014 est.)
  $18.9 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 211
  Exports - commodities:
  vanilla, ylang-ylang (perfume essence), cloves
  Exports - partners:
  India 28.4%, Singapore 13.2%, France 13%, Germany 12.9%, Saudi Arabia 5.9%, US 4.9%, Netherlands 4.6% (2014)
  Imports:
  $216 million (2014 est.)
  $231.3 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Imports - commodities:
  rice and other foodstuffs, consumer goods, petroleum products, cement and construction materials, transport equipment
  Imports - partners:
  China 14.6%, Pakistan 13.9%, France 13.6%, Algeria 11.8%, UAE 9.5%, India 5.9% (2014)
  Debt - external:
  $142 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $146.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Exchange rates:
  Comoran francs (KMF) per US dollar -
  370.81 (2014 est.)
  370.81 (2013 est.)
  382.9 (2012 est.)
  353.9 (2011 est.)
  371.46 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: COMOROS

- Electricity - production:
  43 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Electricity - consumption:
  39.99 million kWh (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  22,000 kW (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  95.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  4.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 170
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 111
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 118
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 168
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  1,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 202
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  1,009 bbl/day (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 172
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 80
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  157,400 Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 202

- ## Communications :: COMOROS

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 23,500
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 383,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 50 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: sparse system of microwave radio relay and HF radiotelephone communication stations
  domestic: fixed-line connections only about 3 per 100 persons; mobile cellular usage about 30 per 100 persons
  international: country code - 269; landing point for the EASSy fiber-optic submarine cable system connecting East Africa with Europe and North America; HF radiotelephone communications to Madagascar and Reunion (2010)
  Broadcast media:
  national state-owned TV station and a TV station run by Anjouan regional government; national state-owned radio; 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 (2007)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 4, shortwave 1 (2001)
  Television broadcast stations:
  NA
  Internet country code:
  .km
  Internet users:
  total: 50,200
  percent of population: 6.6% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 182

- ## Transportation :: COMOROS

- Airports:
  4 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 186
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 4
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 880 km
  paved: 673 km
  unpaved: 207 km (2002)
  country comparison to the world: 187
  Merchant marine:
  total: 149
  by type: bulk carrier 16, cargo 83, carrier 5, chemical tanker 5, container 2, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 17, refrigerated cargo 10, roll on/roll off 8
  foreign-owned: 73 (Bangladesh 1, Bulgaria 4, China 1, Cyprus 2, Greece 4, Kenya 2, Kuwait 1, Latvia 2, Lebanon 2, Lithuania 1, Nigeria 1, Norway 1, Pakistan 5, Russia 12, Syria 5, Turkey 8, UAE 8, UK 1, Ukraine 10, US 2) (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Moroni, Mutsamudu

- ## Military :: COMOROS

- Military branches:
  National Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense, FCD), includes Gendarmerie), Comoran Coast Guard, Comoran Federal Police (2015)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 years of age for 2-year voluntary male and female military service; no conscription (2015)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 184,236
  females age 16-49: 183,363 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 134,562
  females age 16-49: 145,797 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 8,831
  female: 8,809 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: COMOROS

- Disputes - international:
  claims French-administered Mayotte and challenges France's and Madagascar's claims to Banc du Geyser, a drying reef in the Mozambique Channel; in May 2008, African Union forces assisted the Comoros military recapture Anjouan Island from rebels who seized it in 2001
  Trafficking in persons:
  current situation: Comoros is a source country for children subjected to forced labor and, reportedly, sex trafficking domestically, and women and children are subjected to forced labor in Mayotte; it is possibly a transit and destination country for Malagasy women and girls and a transit country for East African women and girls exploited in domestic service in the Middle East; Comoran children are forced to labor in domestic service, roadside and street vending, baking, fishing, and agriculture; some Comoran students at Koranic schools are exploited for forced agricultural or domestic labor, sometimes being subjected to physical and sexual abuse; Comoros may be particularly vulnerable to transnational trafficking because of inadequate border controls, government corruption, and the presence of international criminal networks
  tier rating: Tier 3 – Comoros does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and was placed on Tier 3 after being on the Tier 2 Watch List for two consecutive years without making progress; Parliament passed revisions to the penal code in 2014, including anti-trafficking provisions and enforcement guidelines, but these amendments have not yet been passed approved by the President and put into effect; a new child labor law was passed in 2015 prohibiting child trafficking, but existing laws do not criminalize the forced prostitution of adults; authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict alleged trafficking offenders, including complicit officials; the government lacked victim identification and care referral procedures, did not assist any victims during 2014, and provided minimal support to NGOs offering victims psychosocial services (2015)

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