Comoros

The Union of the Comoros, a former French colony, gained independence in 1975. Since then, the people of Comoros have experienced more than 20 coups or attempted coups, beginning just weeks after independence. In December 2001, voters approved a new constitution and presidential elections took place in the spring of 2002. Each of the three main islands in the archipelago elected its own president, as well as electing a new union president for the whole of Comoros, who took office in May 2002. In 2006 elections were held resulting in a peaceful and democratic exchange of power.