Comoros History Timeline – Clothes Comoros

The Comoros Islands, located in the Indian Ocean between the eastern coast of Africa and Madagascar, have a rich and diverse history that reflects their strategic position along Indian Ocean trade routes. Over the centuries, the islands have been influenced by Arab traders, African settlers, and European colonizers, each leaving their mark on the culture, religion, and politics of the Comorian people. Despite their small size, the Comoros Islands have played an important role in regional trade and diplomacy, and they continue to navigate the challenges of post-colonial independence. This timeline traces the key events that shaped the history of Comoros, from its early settlements to its modern-day struggle for political stability and development.

Pre-Islamic Era and Early Settlements (circa 1000 BCE – 700 CE)

Early Human Settlement and Bantu Migration (circa 1000 BCE – 6th century CE)

The Comoros Islands are believed to have been first settled around 1000 BCE by Austronesian-speaking peoples from Southeast Asia, who sailed across the Indian Ocean to establish early communities on the islands.
Later, during the 1st millennium CE, Bantu-speaking peoples from mainland East Africa arrived in the Comoros as part of the broader Bantu migration. They brought with them agriculture, ironworking, and other technological advancements.
These early settlers established small farming and fishing communities, relying on the islands’ fertile volcanic soil and abundant marine resources.

Early Maritime Trade and Arab Influence (7th century CE – 10th century CE)

By the 7th century CE, the Comoros Islands became part of the Indian Ocean maritime trade network, connecting them to East Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Arab, Persian, and Indian traders visited the islands regularly, exchanging goods such as spices, ivory, and textiles.
The arrival of Arab traders led to the early Islamic influence on the islands. Islam would later become the dominant religion in the Comoros, shaping its cultural and social development.

Islamic Influence and the Rise of City-States (10th century CE – 1500 CE)

The Spread of Islam (10th century CE – 13th century CE)

The 10th century marked the beginning of the widespread introduction of Islam to the Comoros Islands. Arab and Persian traders brought Islam to the region, and over time, the religion became the dominant faith on the islands.
By the 13th century, most Comorians had converted to Islam, and the islands began to develop a unique blend of African, Arab, and Islamic culture, which remains a hallmark of Comorian identity today.
Islam also influenced the governance of the islands, with local rulers adopting Islamic titles and law, and many Comorian city-states formed alliances with Muslim trading powers on the East African coast, such as the Kilwa Sultanate.

The Rise of Comorian Sultanates (14th century CE – 16th century CE)

By the 14th century, the Comoros Islands were divided into a series of independent sultanates, each centered around a key island or port town. These sultanates were governed by local leaders who adopted the title of sultan and ruled according to Islamic law.
Anjouan, Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Mayotte were the four main islands, each with its own sultan and political structure. These sultanates traded extensively with other Indian Ocean powers, particularly on the Swahili coast of East Africa.
The Comorian city-states flourished during this period, benefiting from the lucrative trade in slaves, gold, ivory, and spices. Their strategic location made the islands an important stop for traders traveling between the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

Portuguese and European Exploration (16th century CE)

In the early 16th century, the arrival of Portuguese explorers in the Indian Ocean disrupted the established trade networks in the region. The Portuguese sought to control the lucrative spice trade, which had been dominated by Arab and Swahili traders for centuries.
Although the Portuguese did not colonize the Comoros, their presence in the Indian Ocean shifted the balance of power, and European influence in the region would continue to grow in the centuries that followed.
During this time, the Comoros Islands remained relatively isolated from European powers, but they continued to engage in Indian Ocean trade, particularly with Arab and Swahili merchants.

The Colonial Era: French Domination (1841 – 1975)

Early French Interest in the Comoros (1841 – 1886)

In 1841, the French established a foothold in the Comoros by signing a treaty with Sultan Andriantsoly of Mayotte, effectively annexing the island into the French colonial empire. Mayotte became the first Comorian island to come under French control.
Over the following decades, France gradually expanded its influence over the other islands in the Comoros archipelago. French settlers began arriving on the islands, and the French government sought to establish direct control over the sultanates.
In 1886, the sultans of Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli signed treaties with the French, making their islands French protectorates. Although the sultans retained nominal authority, the islands were effectively governed by French colonial officials.

French Colonial Rule (1886 – 1946)

Under French rule, the Comoros Islands were administered as part of the French colonial empire, with Mayotte being the most developed island due to its earlier annexation. French settlers established plantations, growing crops such as vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang (used in perfume production).
The local economy became heavily dependent on plantation agriculture, and many Comorians were forced into labor on French-owned plantations. The colonial administration also introduced French laws, language, and customs, leading to significant cultural changes.
Despite French control, the Comorian sultanates maintained a degree of influence, particularly in religious and cultural affairs. Islam remained a dominant force, and local leaders continued to exercise authority in their communities.

The Shift to Overseas Territory (1946 – 1960)

In 1946, the Comoros Islands were officially designated as an Overseas Territory of France, giving the islands a degree of representation in the French National Assembly. However, political power remained concentrated in the hands of French officials.
During this period, there was growing discontent among Comorians regarding the unequal economic development and the exploitative nature of the plantation system. Calls for greater political rights and independence began to emerge, though the Comoros remained under French control.

The Road to Independence (1960 – 1975)

The Rise of Nationalism (1960 – 1974)

In the 1960s, as the wave of decolonization swept across Africa, nationalist movements in the Comoros began to gain momentum. Comorian political leaders called for independence from France and the establishment of a sovereign state.
Several political parties were formed during this period, with the Mouvement de Libération Nationale des Comores (MOLINACO) being one of the most prominent pro-independence groups.
In 1974, a referendum was held in the Comoros to determine whether the islands should become independent. While the majority of voters in Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli supported independence, the people of Mayotte voted to remain part of France.

Declaration of Independence (1975)

On July 6, 1975, the Comoros declared its independence from France, with Ahmed Abdallah becoming the first president of the newly formed Federal and Islamic Republic of the Comoros.
However, the situation was complicated by the fact that Mayotte had voted to remain under French control. As a result, Mayotte continued to be administered as a French territory, while the other three islands formed the independent state of Comoros.
The issue of Mayotte’s status has remained a contentious issue between France and the Comoros, with several failed attempts at reunification. To this day, Mayotte remains a French overseas department, while the rest of the Comoros is an independent republic.

Post-Independence Turmoil and Political Instability (1975 – 2000)

The First Coup and Mercenary Intervention (1975 – 1978)

The first years of Comorian independence were marked by political instability and frequent coups. In 1975, just months after independence, President Ahmed Abdallah was overthrown in a coup led by his defense minister, Ali Soilih.
Soilih implemented radical reforms, promoting secularism, socialism, and reducing the influence of Islam in public life. However, his policies were unpopular with the conservative and religious sections of society.
In 1978, Soilih was overthrown in a counter-coup supported by foreign mercenaries led by Bob Denard, a French ex-soldier who had a long history of involvement in African conflicts. Ahmed Abdallah was reinstated as president, and the country’s official name was changed to the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros.

Continued Political Instability and Assassinations (1980s – 1990s)

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the Comoros experienced ongoing political instability, with multiple coups, assassinations, and changes in government. President Abdallah was assassinated in 1989, and Bob Denard was implicated in the killing.
After Abdallah’s death, a series of short-lived governments and military regimes came to power, with frequent intervention by foreign mercenaries, including Denard, who continued to wield significant influence in the country’s politics.
The political instability severely hindered economic development, and the Comoros remained one of the poorest countries in the world, reliant on subsistence agriculture and foreign aid.

Secessionist Movements and the Anjouan Crisis (1997 – 2000)

In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli declared their intention to secede from the Comoros and sought to rejoin France, citing dissatisfaction with the central government and economic neglect.
The Comorian government responded by sending troops to Anjouan to quell the secessionist movement, but the intervention failed, and Anjouan remained effectively autonomous for several years.
The crisis prompted regional mediation efforts, and in 2000, a peace agreement was signed that granted the islands greater autonomy while maintaining the Comoros as a federal republic. This agreement paved the way for a new constitution, which was approved in a referendum.

Modern Comoros: Political Reforms and Challenges (2000 – Present)

The Adoption of a New Constitution and Autonomy (2001 – 2006)

In 2001, a new constitution was adopted, establishing the Union of the Comoros, a federal system that granted each of the three islands (Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Mohéli) significant autonomy with their own local governments.
The presidency of the Union of the Comoros was designed to rotate among the three islands every five years, in an attempt to balance political power and prevent secessionist movements.
In 2002, Azali Assoumani was elected as the first president under the new system. His administration focused on maintaining stability and fostering economic development, though challenges remained.

Political Tensions and the 2008 Anjouan Crisis

In 2008, political tensions resurfaced when Colonel Mohamed Bacar, the leader of Anjouan, refused to step down after his term ended and held elections that were widely regarded as fraudulent.
The Comorian government, with the support of the African Union, launched a military intervention to remove Bacar from power. The intervention was successful, and Bacar fled into exile.
The crisis highlighted the ongoing political challenges facing the Union of the Comoros, particularly the delicate balance between federal authority and island autonomy.

Economic Development and Environmental Challenges (2010 – Present)

In recent years, the Comoros has focused on promoting economic development, particularly in the tourism and agriculture sectors. The islands are known for their production of vanilla, cloves, and ylang-ylang, which are major export commodities.
However, the country continues to face significant challenges, including high levels of poverty, unemployment, and reliance on foreign aid. Infrastructure development remains limited, and the Comoros is vulnerable to natural disasters such as cyclones and rising sea levels due to climate change.
Azali Assoumani returned to power in 2016 and won re-election in 2019, but his presidency has been marked by allegations of authoritarianism and suppression of the political opposition.