Comoros: Introduction

This research paper provides an introductory overview of Comoros, detailing its geography, climate vulnerability, economic structure, and political history. It highlights the intersection of natural hazards, such as cyclones, and political instability as primary barriers to the country's sustainable development.

• Comoros is highly vulnerable to tropical storms and cyclones due to its location in the warm Indian Ocean. In 2019, Cyclone Kenneth affected 345,000 people and destroyed 80% of the country's crop production, with recovery further hindered by the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic's impact on exports, services, and tourism.
• The economy of Comoros is classified by the World Bank as a lower-middle-income country. It relies heavily on fishing and subsistence farming, with manufacturing limited to processing agricultural goods, and depends significantly on EU aid for budgetary support.
• Political instability has severely impeded development in Comoros, characterized by more than 15 attempted, plotted, or successful coups d'état since independence in 1975. Frequent constitutional changes have contributed to political fragility, although the country has sought to establish a democracy since 2001, including the 2024 re-election of President Azali Assoumani.
• Comoros is a member of several regional and international organizations, including the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). It officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 27 February 2024.

APA

Tsopmo, P. C., & Cilliers, J. (2026). Comoros: Introduction. Institute for Security Studies. https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=KM&topic=01-intro

Chicago

Tsopmo, Pierre Christian, and Jakkie Cilliers. Comoros: Introduction. Institute for Security Studies, 2026. https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=KM&topic=01-intro.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Tsopmo |first1=Pierre Christian |last2=Cilliers |first2=Jakkie |title=Comoros: Introduction |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=31 May 2026 |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=KM&topic=01-intro |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{tsopmo2026comoros, author = {Tsopmo, Pierre Christian and Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{Comoros: Introduction}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=KM&topic=01-intro}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }