byPresident DJOHAR 6 January 1994 (DJOHAR has appointed 14 prime
ministers in the last three years)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Federal Assembly (Assemblee Federale):
elections last held 12–20 December 1993 (next to be held by NA January
1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (42 total)
Ruling Coalition: RDR 15, UNDC 5, MWANGAZA 2; Opposition: UDZIMA 8,
other smaller parties 10; 2 seats remained unfilled
note:
opposition is boycotting the National Assembly until the government
promises to investigate fraud in the last election
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Political parties and leaders:
over 20 political parties are currently active, the most important of
which are; Comoran Union for Progress (UDZIMA), Omar TAMOU; Islands'
Fraternity and Unity Party (CHUMA), Said Ali KEMAL; Comoran Party for
Democracy and Progress (PCDP), Ali MROUDJAE; Realizing Freedom's
Capability (UWEZO), Mouazair ABDALLAH; Democratic Front of the Comoros
(FDR), Moustapha CHELKH; Dialogue Proposition Action (DPA/MWANGAZA),
Said MCHAWGAMA; Rally for Change and Democracy (RACHADE), Hassan
HACHIM; Union for Democracy and Decentralization (UNDC), Mohamed Taki
Halidi IBRAHAM; Rally for Democracy and Renewal (RDR); Comoran Popular
Front (FPC), Mohamed HASSANALI, Mohamed El Arif OUKACHA, Abdou
MOUSTAKIM (Secretary General)
Member of:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
ILO, IMF, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), ITU, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Amini Ali MOUMIN
chancery:
(temporary) at the Comoran Permanent Mission to the UN, 336 East 45th
Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone:
(212) 972–8010
FAX:
(212) 983–4712
US diplomatic representation:
none; post closed in September 1993
Flag:
green with a white crescent placed diagonally (closed side of the
crescent points to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag); there are
four white five-pointed stars placed in a line between the points of
the crescent; the crescent, stars, and color green are traditional
symbols of Islam; the four stars represent the four main islands of
the archipelago - Mwali, Njazidja, Nzwani, and Mayotte (which is a
territorial collectivity of France, but claimed by the Comoros)
@Comoros, Economy
Overview:
One of the world's poorest countries, Comoros is made up of several
islands that have poor transportation links, a young and rapidly
increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational
level of the labor force contributes to a low level of economic
activity, high unemployment, and a heavy dependence on foreign grants
and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and
forestry, is the leading sector of the economy. It contributes 40% to
GDP, employs 80% of the labor force, and provides most of the exports.
The country is not self-sufficient in food production, and rice, the
main staple, accounts for 90% of imports. During 1982–86 the
industrial sector grew at an annual average rate of 5.3%, but its
contribution to GDP is small. Despite major investment in the tourist
industry, which accounts for about 25% of GDP, growth has stagnated
since 1983. A sluggish growth rate of 1.5% during 1985–90 has led to
large budget deficits, declining incomes, and balance-of-payments
difficulties. Estimates for 1992 show a moderate increase in the
growth rate based on increased exports, tourism, and government
investment outlays.
National product:
GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $360 million (1993 est.)
National product real growth rate:
5% (1992 est.)
National product per capita:
$700 (1993 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4% (1991 est.)
Unemployment rate:
over 15.9% (1989)
Budget:
revenues:
$96 million
expenditures:
$88 million, including capital expenditures of $33 million (1991 est.)
Exports:
$21 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.)
