Culture
The culture of the Comoros is characterized
partly by Islam and partly by the different peoples who
throughout history have moved to the islands.
There is a rich flora of oral stories that have been
recorded in recent decades in both Comorian and French.
There is also a modern literature, mainly in French.
Traditional music is now performed mainly at large
wedding parties that can last for three, four weeks in
rich families. The entire villages are invited to the
celebration. Today, a mix of traditional Comorian music
and contemporary blues, reggae and rap is popular on the
islands. A popular style of music is called twarab and
originates from Zanzibar.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Comoros, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
Theater plays, often with local historical motifs,
are sometimes used to convey easily wrapped up social
criticism.
Mass Media
The constitution prescribes freedom of the
press and opinion, but the media can be subject to some
influence from the country's authorities. This can cause
journalists to avoid reporting on sensitive topics.
In connection with the presidential elections in the
spring of 2019, several journalists were arrested,
according to the press freedom organization CPJ, and
three newspapers were prevented from coming out. One of
those arrested was Toufé Maecha, editor-in-chief of
private newspaper Masiwa Komor, who was held for six
hours accused of espionage after asking what happened to
people arrested in connection with the election. Two
other journalists were arrested in February and had not
been released in mid-April 2019.
 Only in 2002 did the Comoros get their first daily
newspaper, Le Matin des Comores. Another daily newspaper
is Albalad. The state-owned weekly magazine Al Watwan is
the country's most influential newspaper. The
French-language, independent weekly newspaper Kashkazi
was founded in 2005. Daily news coverage also takes
place on a number of websites, including Comores Online,
but the country has few internet users.
State radio Radio Komores broadcasts in Comorian,
Arabic, French and Swahili. There are also many
privately owned radio stations that broadcast both news
and commercial music radio. Radio broadcasts from the
nearby French island of Mayotte reach the entire
Comoros.
The state TV channel Télévision Nationale Comorienne
was inaugurated in 2006. Several local TV channels can
be broadcast without much interference from the
government.
FACTS - MASS MEDIA
Percentage of the population using the
internet
8 percent (2017)
Number of mobile subscriptions per 100
residents
60 (2018)
2010
December
Dhoinine becomes president
Ikililou Dhoinine also wins the second round of presidential elections (the
first round was held in November). Dhoinine gets 61 percent of the vote. The
turnout is 53 percent.
November
Dhoinine wins the first round of presidential elections
Ikililou Dhoinine from Mohéli, who is politically closely associated with
President Sambi, wins the first round of the election for new Union president
with 28 percent of the vote. A second round of elections is planned for
December.
May
Extended term of office is annulled
The Constitutional Court annuls the decision of the Union Parliament to
extend the term of office of President Zambi. The court cuts the extension from
18 months to a year, during which Sambi will lead a transitional government with
limited powers of power.
April
Unrest continues
The unrest following the decision to extend President Zambi's term of office
continues. Sambi strengthens its bodyguard force with Libyan soldiers.
March
The term of office of the President is extended
Decides to extend President Zambi's term of office by 18 months to November
2011. Popular protests are erupting, especially on the island of Mohéli, which
is in line for the rotating presidency;
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