This update covers developments relating to the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly in the Union of Comoros from 1st November 2024 to 2nd June 2025.
GENERAL
ICCPR still not ratified
As of 30th May 2025, the Union of Comoros has signed but still not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Legislative and municipal elections amid opposition boycott
On 12th January 2025, parliamentary elections were held, with a 66.3 per cent turnout. The Convention pour le Renouveau des Comores (CRC) won 28 out of 33 seats, according to the Independent National Election Commission. Several opposition parties either boycotted the vote (such as Juma) or rejected the results because of concerns over its transparency. The boycotting parties and movements want to show their opposition to moves aimed at preventing democratic change and excessive centralisation on the island of Ngazidia.
The coalition United Opposition of the Comoros (OUC) had been reluctant to participate, believing that the conditions for the election were not democratic and asking for a national dialogue beforehand. Some civil society activists, such as Moudjib Mohamed Said, president of the youth movement Ngo'Shawo, expressed the opinion that the empty chair policy in place for many years did not yield any result in the past.
On 22nd January 2025, the Supreme Court annulled results in four constituencies due to procedural irregularities, including changes to polling station members, ballot box issues, and inconsistencies in official records. This led to a re-run in the four constituencies on 16th February. That same day, municipal elections were held to renew local councils, and again irregularities were observed. On 4th April 2025, the newly elected Assembly of the Union held its first session.
Provisional release of political opponent
On 3rd May 2025, after more than a year in detention, a hunger strike and harsh prison conditions, the leader of the opposition Hury party, Achmet Saïd Mohamed, was provisionally released.
Achmet Saïd Mohamed had been banned from running in the 2024 presidential election and was arrested in Moroni five days before the 2024 vote. He is accused of ‘plotting against the authority of the state’ and ‘attempting to commit terrorist acts.’ He has always denied these charges. His lawyer, Maître Djamal El-dine Bacar, has denounced a series of irregularities since his arrest.
EXPRESSION
Journalist in police custody, accused of disinformation due to sensitive translation
On 30th January 2025, journalist and Reuters correspondent Abdou Moustoifa was taken into custody at the gendarmerie of Moroni. On 23rd January 2025, he covered a speech by President Azali Assoumani, in which, according to the journalist, the Head of State had expressed his wish to see his son succeed him. The authorities denounced a false translation of the statements in question, which were expressed in shiKomori, a Comorian language. On 24th January 2025, the president’s office denied that the comments referred to the President’s son, indicating instead that he was referring to all Comorians as his children.
Moustoifa was taken into police custody after being questioned and faces charges from the public prosecutor for spreading misinformation. The National Union of Comorian Journalists contested this decision, arguing that the case falls under the jurisdiction of the National Press and Audiovisual Council and not the criminal justice system. It demanded the immediate release of the journalist. Moustoifa spent one night in the cell.
Report on internet shutdowns points at Comoros
On 24th February 2025, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition released a new report on internet shutdowns imposed by authorities, including in Comoros. The authorities had imposed an internet shutdown to quell post-election protests in January 2024 after the incumbent President Azali Assoumani was declared the winner of the presidential election.
The report documents 296 shutdowns in 54 countries and observes the sharp uptick from 2023.
Extradition and prosecution of critic of authorities leads to arrest of several senior officials
On 10th May 2025, Abdousalam Ibrahim Mpingou, a Comorian national who resides in Tanzania and often criticises Comorian authorities on his social media accounts, was extradited to the Comoros from Tanzania where he had been detained for a few days. Known as “Bachar”, he is being prosecuted for defamation, public insult, blackmail, fraud and slander. In the past, he revealed sensitive information and the authorities may be interested in his sources.
His arrest and subsequent judicial investigation had the effect of involving several officials. On 27th May 2025, a former minister, Ali Ibouroi, was placed in pre-trial detention, as well as Commissioner Tadjidine and Captain Rafik. According to Comores-Infos, they are suspected of having passed on sensitive information. On 2nd June 2025, Ahmed Abdou, deputy director general of Radio Ngazidja, was also placed in pre-trial detention at Moroni prison by the investigating judge. The criminal trial will open on 5th June 2025.
Journalists issued press cards for the first time
On 15th March 2025, journalists received press cards for the first time. Out of 143 applicants, 93 met the requirements and received press cards in the first round, marking a step towards the formalisation of the profession.
The press cards were issued by a joint committee made up of the National Press and Audiovisual Council and journalists’ organisations. Soidri Saïd, secretary general of the National Union of Comorian Journalists (SNJC), welcomes the introduction of the press card and hopes that it will enable journalists to access sources of information and carry out their work in optimal conditions.
On 3rd May 2025, for International Press Freedom Day, a march took place in Moroni during which the President of the National Union of Comorian Journalists delivered a speech, as well as in Fomboni. In 2024, the planned march for press freedom had not been authorised.
ASSOCIATION
Report on human rights defenders points at larger challenges
On 28th April 2025, International Service for Human Rights launched a report on the situation of human rights defenders in African island countries.
First, the report notes that Comoros has never submitted a report to the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights under their periodic reporting obligations.
The report also notes that while freedom of assembly is protected by the Constitution, the organisation of meetings and demonstrations is subject to authorisation. According to the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms, this authorisation is almost systematically rejected by the prefectures when they emanate from political parties. If a demonstration is held without the permit, organisers are at risk of being arrested or detained for organising an ‘illegal’ demonstration.
An issue common to many island countries is the lack of resources available to civil society organisations from national authorities, creating a situation of precariousness and hampering the sustainability of their actions. The National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms also faces challenges, such as a crucial lack of resources.
PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY
Island of Mayotte at heart of protests
On 16th April 2025, nearly 200 people responded to the call from the Maoré Committee and the Comorian Civil Society Organisation (OSCC), supported by local political figures, and gathered on Independence Square in Moroni to oppose Mayotte’s entry into the Indian Ocean Commission, as well as to oppose the possibility of a new French military base in Mayotte. The central concern is the issue of sovereignty and the possible recognition of Mayotte as French territory during the 5th summit of the Indian Ocean Commission taking place on 24th April 2025 in Madagascar.
Mayotte’s status as an administrative unit of France has been disputed by Comoros, which has claimed Mayotte since Comoros’s declaration of independence from France in 1975. Mayotte and Comoros have complex relations: Mayotte is geographically part of the Comoros archipelago and was part of France’s colonial Comoros territory. But in 1974, the people of Mayotte chose to remain part of France. Comoros still claims Mayotte and is supported by the United Nations and the African Union.
LGBTIQ+
Couple sentenced on homosexual activity charge
On 12th December 2024, a court sentenced two lesbian women to five and six months in prison respectively after finding them guilty of homosexuality. The couple was arrested in June on charges of engaging in same-sex sexual activity, after having reportedly requested an Islamic preacher to marry them, although that charge was not proven at the trial. They were released as the sentence was a shorter period than they had already served in detention.
Article 318(3) of the Comorian Penal Code (1981) punishes "improper" or "unnatural" acts with a person of the same sex with up to five years in prison and a fine.