Comoros’s volatile political history includes coups and attempted coups, though some more recent presidential and legislative elections have been reasonably well administered. A controversial constitutional referendum in 2018 introduced major changes, and opponents of the referendum were severely persecuted. Since winning the referendum and securing reelection in 2019, President Azali Assoumani has consolidated power by cracking down on the opposition and limiting press freedom. Systemic corruption and poverty remain problems.

• President Azali—a military ruler from 1999 to 2002 who subsequently held the civilian presidency in 2002–06, again in 2016–19, and continuously since April 2019—won a second consecutive five-year term in the January presidential election. The election commission initially credited him with 63 percent of the vote in a field of six candidates; turnout was reported at just 16 percent, even though simultaneous elections for the three island governorships drew turnout of more than 50 percent. The Supreme Court later released results that gave Azali 57 percent of the vote amid 56 percent turnout. His five opponents rejected the results, alleging massive fraud and politicization of the Supreme Court.
• Violent protests broke out after the initial results were announced, with demonstrators confronting police and the military. Temporary curfews were imposed, internet service was disrupted, and at least one death was reported. In addition to protesters, several opposition figures were arrested, including the campaign managers of two presidential candidates; they were allegedly detained longer than permitted by law before eventually being released.
• In September, President Azali sustained minor injuries in a knife attack, and the man arrested for the assault was later reported to have died in custody.

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For additional background information, see last year’s full report.