Comoros

Comoros, an archipelago of small islands off the coast of southern Africa between Mozambique and Madagascar, covers 2,170 square kilometers and has a population of 633,000 people (July 2003 estimates). Since it became independent from France in 1975, Comoros has been riddled by coups and unrest. In 2000 a new constitution reorganized the country as a confederation of its three islands and gave the promise of stability.

France, which maintains a Foreign Legion base on the island of Mayotte (which Comoros claims), trains the Comoros military and provides protection for its international waters.

According to U.S. State Department sources from 2003, Comoros's Gendarmerie numbered approximately 500 (1 for every 1,266 inhabitants); an equal number served in the defense forces, which also has responsibilities for internal security.

Comoros's new constitution vests authority for internal security with each of its constituent islands, whereas the federation president is responsible for external security. These measures were beginning to be implemented in early 2004, with gendarmerie reporting to the respective island's presidents instead of the federation. Final restructuring and division of resources had yet to be announced.