The Comoros has had seven official presidents since gaining independence from France in 1975. Initially, the presidency rotated between the three islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli.
This system allowed leaders from each island to serve for one term. In 2018, a new constitution was introduced, changing the rules. Now, a president can serve two consecutive five-year terms, regardless of their island.
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Complete List Of Comoros Presidents From 1975 Till Date
Name | Title | Term of Office Start | Term of Office End | Political Party |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ahmed Abdallah | President of the Government | 6 July 1975 | 3 August 1975 | UDC |
Said Mohamed Jaffar | Chairman of the National Council | 3 August 1975 | 3 January 1976 | RDPC |
Ali Soilih | Head of State | 3 January 1976 | 13 May 1978 | RDPC |
Said Atthoumani | Chairman of Politico-Military | 13 May 1978 | 23 May 1978 | Independent |
Ahmed Abdallah & Mohamed Ahmed | Co-Chairmen of Politico-Military | 23 May 1978 | 3 October 1978 | UDC |
Ahmed Abdallah | Chairman of the Directorate | 3 October 1978 | 26 November 1989† | UDC |
Said Mohamed Djohar | Acting President | 27 November 1989 | 20 March 1990 | UDC |
Said Mohamed Djohar | President | 20 March 1990 | 29 September 1995 | UCP |
Combo Ayouba | Coordinator of Transitional Military | 29 September 1995 | 2 October 1995 | Military |
Mohamed Taki & Said Kemal | Acting President | 2 October 1995 | 5 October 1995 | National Union for Democracy |
Caabi El-Yachroutu Mohamed | Interim President | 5 October 1995 | 26 January 1996 | RDR |
Said Mohamed Djohar | President | 26 January 1996 | 25 March 1996 | RDR |
Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim | President | 25 March 1996 | 6 November 1998† | RDR |
Tadjidine Massounde | Interim President | 6 November 1998 | 30 April 1999 | Independent |
Azali Assoumani | Head of State | 30 April 1999 | 23 December 2001 | Military |
Azali Assoumani | Head of State | 23 December 2001 | 21 January 2002 | Military |
Hamada Madi | Interim President | 21 January 2002 | 26 May 2002 | Republican Party |
Azali Assoumani | President | 26 May 2002 | 26 May 2006 | CRC |
Ahmed Sambi | President | 26 May 2006 | 26 May 2011 | Independent |
Ikililou Dhoinine | President | 26 May 2011 | 26 May 2016 | Baobab Movement |
Azali Assoumani | President | 26 May 2016 | 13 February 2019 | CRC |
Moustadroine Abdou | Interim President | 13 February 2019 | 3 April 2019 | CRC |
Azali Assoumani | President | 3 April 2019 | Incumbent | CRC |
Who Was The First President Of Comoros?
Ahmed Abdallah, born on June 12, 1919, in Dimoni on the island of Anjouan, Is the first President of Comoros. His political career started in the 1940s and was instrumental in leading Comoros toward independence from French colonial rule.
In his early years, Abdallah worked in local governance and served as the President of the islands’ general council from 1949 to 1953. Later, he represented Comoros in the French Senate from 1959 to 1973.
His political party, the Comoros Democratic Union (UDC), pushed for the islands to gain autonomy and eventually break free from French control.
Comoros gained internal autonomy in 1971, and by July 6, 1975, the country declared full independence through a referendum, though one of the islands, Mayotte, chose to stay with France.
Abdallah became the first President of the newly independent Comoros but faced challenges from the start. Just weeks after taking office, he was overthrown in a coup led by French mercenary Bob Denard on August 3, 1975.
However, Abdallah returned to power in 1978 after another coup organized by Denard. Once back, Abdallah created a one-party system, abolished opposition parties, and ruled with an autocratic style.
During his presidency, Abdallah faced many difficulties, including political instability, multiple coup attempts, and economic troubles.
His government was criticized for corruption and poor management, and he relied on mercenaries for support. Despite being re-elected unopposed in 1984, his regime struggled to bring stability or progress to the country.
In 1989, Abdallah’s presidency ended when he was assassinated during a coup led by Siad Mohamed Djohar, reportedly with Denard’s help.
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Who Is The President Of Comoros?
Azali Assoumani is the current President of Comoros. He was recently re-elected for a fourth five-year term after the presidential election held on January 14, 2024.
According to the election results, Assoumani received 62.97% of the vote. However, the election has been surrounded by controversy, as opposition candidates claimed there were cases of electoral fraud and irregularities.
Some reports suggest that voter turnout was extremely low, around 16%, because many opposition groups boycotted the election.
After the results were announced, protests broke out in different parts of the country, leading to clashes between security forces and demonstrators.
Assoumani has a long and eventful political history in Comoros. He was born on January 1, 1959, in a village called Mitsoudjé.
His rise to power began in 1999 when he took control of the country through a military coup. Since then, he has served multiple terms as president, including from 2002 to 2006 and again from 2016 to the present.
In addition to leading Comoros, Assoumani served as the Chairperson of the African Union from February 2023 to February 2024, which gave him a prominent role in addressing regional and continental issues.
His leadership has faced criticism over the years. In August 2024, Assoumani gave important political powers to his son, Nour El Fath, which raised concerns about potential succession plans.
Many believe this could pave the way for his son to take over leadership in the future, which some see as an effort to keep power within the family.