Legal System of Comoros
Comoros is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in southern africa, group of islands at the northern mouth of the mozambique channel, about two-thirds of the way between northern madagascar and northern mozambique. The country achieved independence on 6 july 1975 (from france). The capital is Moroni.
Government Overview
Government Type: federal presidential republic Chief of State: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016) Head of Government: President AZALI Assoumani (since 26 May 2016) Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president Administrative Divisions: 3 islands; Anjouan (Ndzuwani), Grande Comore (N’gazidja), Moheli (Mwali) National Holiday: Independence Day, 6 July (1975) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Legal System
The legal system of Comoros is described as mixed legal system of Islamic religious law, the French civil code of 1975, and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Constitutional Framework
The constitution has the following history: previous 1996, 2001; newest adopted 30 July 2018 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the union or supported by at least one third of the Assembly of the Union membership; adoption requires approval by at least three-quarters majority of the total Assembly membership or approval in a referendum
Judicial Branch
Highest Court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 7 judges) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges - selection and term of office NA Subordinate Courts: Court of Appeals (in Moroni); Tribunal de première instance; island village (community) courts; religious courts
Legislative Branch
The legislative structure consists of unicameral Note: note: opposition parties, which claimed there was “gross fraud” during the most recent election, boycotted the elections in 2020 and 2025
Citizenship and Suffrage
Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Historical Background
For centuries prior to colonization in the 19th century, the Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean served as a key node in maritime trade networks that connected the Middle East, India, and eastern African regions. Composed of the islands of Anjouan, Mayotte, Moheli, and Grande Comore, Comoros spent most of the 20th century as a colonial outpost until it declared independence from France on 6 July 1975.
This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Comoros based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.