Formerly an overseas territory of Metropolitan France, the Comoros archipelago became independent on 6 July 1975, after the referendum of 22 December 1974 (Mayotte was the only island that opted to remain part of France). Its politics have been dominated by authoritarian regimes. In 1995-96 a military regime led by a French mercenary, Bob Denard, seized power and democracy was restored only as a result of French military intervention. In 1999 another coup brought Colonel Azali Assoumani to power. In 2002, however, thanks to the mediation of France and the African Union, democratic institutions were re-instated, safeguarding the three main islands’ aspirations towards autonomy. On 2007 the refusal of the President of the island of Anjouan, Mohamed Bacar, to step down at the end of his mandate led to effective secession, ending in military intervention (March 2008). Azali Assoumani won the presidential election of 2016 and returned to lead the country; a constitutional referendum (30 July 2018) granted him the opportunity to reapply for a second term.
According to the 2001 Constitution, modified several times, the Federal President is elected every five years and has the opportunity to reapply only once. The Federal Parliament is made up of 33 members of whom 24 are elected directly and 9 are appointed by the regional assemblies (three from each island). Each island elects its own president and legislative assembly.

The economy is based on agriculture and on remittances from migrant workers.
Food products grown for domestic consumption (rice, maize, sweet potatoes and cassava) are not sufficient to meet the nation’s needs.
Crops grown for export include cloves, plants used in the perfume industry (including ylang-ylang), vanilla and coffee. Promoting Comoros as a tourist destination is proving difficult owing to the unstable political situation. Oil prospecting is under way. The Comorian franc is pegged to the Euro by a fixed exchange rate.