Comoros Remains a Fragile State Amidst Political Turmoil

DHAKAR, COMOROS - The Comoros Islands have been plagued by political instability and corruption for years, with the government and opposition at odds over constitutional changes.

Constitutional Crisis

Since 2009, the country has been embroiled in a heated debate over amendments to its constitution, which has diverted attention from tackling organized crime. The 2018 referendum, in which the presidential term was extended and power concentrated, was boycotted by a large portion of the electorate and marred by concerns of vote rigging.

Corruption and Political Instability

As a result, Comoros is often described as an emerging dictatorship, with corruption perceptions ranking among the highest globally. The country has been “red-carded” by the European Union due to its inadequate efforts to curb illegal fishing, and political relations with France are strained.

Justice System

The legal system in Comoros is hybrid, combining indigenous customary law, Islamic law, and French civil law. However, it remains underdeveloped, and the legislative framework for combating organized crime falls below international standards.

Courts Overburdened and Corrupt

The courts in Comoros are severely overburdened and plagued by political interference from the executive branch.
In 2018, the constitutional court was suspended by presidential decree, sparking concerns about the rule of law.
Corruption is endemic throughout the judiciary, with judges and lawyers often colluding with criminal networks.

Law Enforcement Complicit in Crime

The police force is also riddled with corruption, with officers frequently collaborating with criminal organizations.
The rule of law is weak, and authorities show little interest in improving training standards or addressing issues of corruption and criminal facilitation.
Border security is a major concern, given the country’s three main islands and limited resources.

Economic and Financial Environment

The financial system in Comoros is underdeveloped, with no means of estimating proceeds from illicit activities.
Although money laundering is criminalized, policies are poorly implemented, and systems for identifying instances of money laundering are weak.
Entrepreneurs face significant challenges due to the lack of support, regulatory capacity, and a mistrusted financial system.

Victims of organized crime often receive inadequate support, and human trafficking victims are frequently housed by government employees due to insufficient resources.
There is no support available for drug users, and civil society organizations rely on private funding and lack adequate resources.
Efforts to prevent organized crime are minimal, with the government’s initiatives to provide training and prevent human trafficking severely lacking.

Global Organized Crime Index

Comoros ranks low on the Global Organized Crime Index due to its fragile state, political instability, corruption, and lack of effective governance.
The country’s civil society and media landscape are also under threat, with journalists facing freedom violations and intimidation.

Disclaimer

The United States Department of State provided funding for this summary. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.