[5] The doctorate & compromise government was dissolved, constitutional changes removed succession from a politician and neutralized the post of another possible challenger in abolishing the position of Prime Minister, which effectively cemented a client-patron network by making the civil service position dependent on Abdallah's political base.
[2] The islands' incorporation as a province of the colony of Madagascar into the French colonial empire marked the end of the sultanates. The Constitutional Council oversaw elections and the constitutionality of proceedings in the islands. Administrative Division Feature Statistic Largest … [5][2] Azali lacked the social obligations required to address the elders and when combined with his gross mismanagement and increasing economic and social dependence on foreign entities, made managing daily life near nonexistent in the state. Governors have broad powers: they may order propaganda in their area and call in the army, gendarmes, and police. [2] Taki's lack of Arab heritage led to his lack of understanding Nzwani's cultural differences and economic problems, as seen by the establishment of the elders council with only loyal Taki supporters.
The Union of the Comoros consists of the three islands Njazidja (Grande Comoros), Mwali (Moheli) and Nzwani (Anjouan) while the island of Mayotte remains under French administration.
… The threat of renewed socioeconomic marginalization following the transfer of the capital to Ngazidja in 1962, more than social or cultural differences, underlay the island's subsequent rejection of independence. Between 30-40% of taxes went to the federal budget with the rest proportionately divided among the islands. The districts, administered by district heads (chefs de district), are the smallest administrative units. [5] Soilih's attacks on religious and customary authority contributed to his eventual ousting through a French-backed coup consisting of mercenaries and ex-politicians who together formed the Politico Military Doctorate. Governors and Island Council's now elected for five year terms, with the latter in charge of the island's finances. [5], Prince Said Ibrahim took power in 1970 but was democratically elected out of office in 1972 in favor of former French senator Ahmed Abdallah.
The referendum would cause each island's president to become a governor and the ministers to become councilors.
In May 1999, Azali decreed a constitution that gave him both executive and legislative powers. Foreign aid required approval of the federal executive, further exacerbating this issue.
The precolonial legacies of the sultanates linger while the political situation in Comoros has been extremely fluid since the country's independence in 1975, subject to the volatility of coups and political insurrection. Comoros: Administrative Division Contents: Prefectures and Communes. ISO Subentity Codes for Comoros Administrative Division. President Abdallah declared independence for all islands, except Mayotte which remained under French administration, in 1975. Comoros considers Mayotte, an overseas collectivity of France, to be part of its territory, with an autonomous status [9], As of 2011, the three autonomous islands are subdivided into 16 prefectures, 54 communes, and 318 villes or villages.[10]. The Comoros were led by Muhammed Taki Abd al-Karim beginning in 1996 and he was followed by interim president Said Massunde who eventually gave way to Assoumani Azali. The divisions are further sub-divided into sub-divisions (arrondissements), headed by assistant divisional officers (sous-prefets). [2] Apart from local administration, the age system was used to include the population in decision making, depending on the scope of the decision being made. 52.7% of those eligible voted, and 93.8% of votes were cast in approval of the referendum. In December 2000, Azali named a new civilian Prime Minister, Hamada Madi, and formed a new civilian Cabinet. Subdivisions of the Comoros. The new federal Constitution came into effect in 2002; it included elements of consociationalism, including a presidency that rotates every four years among the islands and extensive autonomy for each island.