Comoros profile =>
Potentially a holiday paradise with picture-postcard beaches, the Comoros islands are trying to consolidate political stability amid tensions between semi-autonomous islands and the central government. A history of political violence has left the Comoros desperately poor. At times, the country has teetered on the brink of disintegration. The three Indian Ocean islands have experienced more than 20 coups or attempted coups, beginning just weeks after independence from France in 1975 when President Ahmed Abdallah was toppled in a coup assisted by French mercenary Colonel Bob Denard. Colonel Denard featured in several power struggles over the years. At a glance *.Politics: After coups and secession bids, the Comoros gained some stability under a 2001 constitution granting the islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan, Moheli greater autonomy within a federation. *.Economy: Comoros is heavily reliant on aid and remittances from the diaspora *.International: The African Union and South Africa...