The Comoros have no significant mineral resources and are therefore dependent on imported oil. The most important source of energy, however, is firewood.
The electricity supply is deficient. According to the World Bank, almost half of the inhabitants had access to electricity in 2010, but the electricity grid suffered severe damage from floods in 2012 (see Calendar). Recurring, often long power outages create difficulties for the country’s companies.
COUNTRYAAH: Major exports by Comoros with a full list of the top products exported by the country. Includes trade value in U.S. dollars and the percentage for each product category.
The high population density puts great strain on the country’s often unique flora and fauna. The forest cover has fallen sharply during the past decade to only about three percent of the country’s area and new planting does not keep pace with harvesting. Furthermore, the new forest planted does not offer the same opportunities for a rich variety of plants, insects, birds and mammals as the original forest.
One of the reasons for logging is the need for firewood for the distillation of ylang-ylang oil (see Agriculture and Fisheries). The state subsidizes kerosene to reduce the demand for wood for households.
Abbreviationfinder: A popular acronym site in the world covering abbreviation for each country. For example, KM stands for Comoros. Visit itypeusa for more information about Comoros.
FACTS – ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Energy use per person
63 kilograms of oil equivalent (2007)
Carbon dioxide emissions in total
154,000 tonnes (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions per inhabitant
0.2 ton (2014)
The share of energy from renewable sources
45.3 percent (2015)
2016
April
Assoumani’s rolling victory is confirmed
May 13th
When the results of the re-election on Anjouan are clear, it turns out that Assoumani remains as the winner of the election. He will take office on May 26.
Assoumani wins the election
April 16
According to preliminary results, Assoumani wins by a marginal margin. He gets just under 41 percent of the vote, just one percent more than Mamadou, while Mouigni Baraka comes in third with just over 19 percent of the vote. A few days later, the Constitutional Court orders that the presidential election be re-elected in 13 constituencies on the island of Anjouan where more than 6,000 people must have been prevented from voting. The election date is set for May 11.
Tense about presidential elections
April 10
The election stands between Vice President Mohamed Ali Soilihi (also called Mamadou), Grande Comore Governor Mouigni Baraka and Azali Assoumani, a former coup leader who ruled the country in 1999-2006. The election campaign is characterized by a harsh tone with personal attacks and accusations of corruption. During Election Day, a number of irregularities and acts of violence are reported, especially on the island of Anjouan.
March
The choice is approved
March 7
The Constitutional Court confirms the result in the first round of the presidential election (see February 2016). 19 out of 25 candidates had appealed to the court to contest the result.
February
The first round of the presidential election is held
February 21st
As the Constitution provides for the presidency to rotate between the islands, only the residents of Grand Comore vote this day. The three main candidates then stand in a nationwide election on April 10. Several less violent incidents are reported during Election Day, among other things, a fight breaks out between supporters of different candidates at two polling stations in Moroni. Most votes are given by Vice President Mohamed Ali Soilihi. He receives almost 18 percent of the vote, compared to about 15 percent for Mouigni Baraka Said Soilihi, Governor of Grand Comore and Colonel Azali Assoumani. Fahmi Said Ibrahim, who has been one of the favorites, comes in fourth place, with 14.5 percent of the vote. Some of his followers express suspicion that cheating has occurred. Observers from the AU say that the election was largely correct.
January
Breaking with Iran
January 16
The Comorian government announces that it is suspending diplomatic relations with Iran. It refers to the Iranian government’s aggression against Riyadh.
Presidential candidates get the go-ahead
January 2
Twenty-five candidates will be given a clear sign from the Constitutional Court in the presidential election on February 21. However, the candidacy of former President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Zambi is rejected.
