The Comoros and the crisis of building a national state

This article gives an overview of the Comoro Islands and the struggle and obstacles in building a unified nation-state. This often-overlooked member of the Arab League has been rocked by no fewer than 19 coup- and coup attempts characterized by mercenary intervention, especially that of Robert Denard, and French post-colonial involvement. The article covers historical and major inter-island politics and issues of national concern; involvement with the Arab League and the African Union; as well as succession crises and important Comorian leaders including Ahmed Abdullah, Mohammed Bacar and Maoist Ali Soilih.