Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Grande Comore

The Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Grande Comore is the legislative body of Grande Comore, the largest and most populous island of the Union of the Comoros. It functions as the principal institution responsible for law-making, representation, and oversight at the island level within the framework of the country’s decentralised political system. The Assembly plays a key role in translating the island’s autonomous powers into practical governance, particularly in relation to local administration, development, and public policy.
The establishment and operation of the Assembly are closely linked to the broader constitutional reforms adopted in the early 2000s, which sought to address long-standing political instability and inter-island tensions within the Comoros. As the seat of the federal capital, Moroni, Grande Comore occupies a distinctive position in Comorian politics, and its legislative assembly has often been central to debates concerning the balance between island autonomy and national authority.

Historical and Political Background

Since gaining independence from France in 1975, the Comoros has experienced recurring political upheaval, including coups d’état, contested elections, and institutional fragility. Tensions between the islands intensified during the 1990s, when Anjouan and Mohéli expressed strong secessionist tendencies, citing political marginalisation and uneven development.
In response to these challenges, negotiations between island leaders and the central government culminated in the Fomboni Accords of 2000, which reshaped the constitutional order of the state. These accords introduced a system of far-reaching island autonomy, granting each major island its own executive and legislative institutions while preserving the unity of the Comorian state.
Within this framework, the Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Grande Comore was established as the island’s legislative authority, complementing the office of the Island President and operating alongside the federal institutions of the Union.

Constitutional Framework and Role

The Assembly derives its authority from the constitution of the Union of the Comoros, which delineates the powers of island governments. Under this system, the islands are empowered to legislate on matters of local concern, provided such legislation does not conflict with federal law.
The Assembly of Grande Comore is entrusted with:

• Enacting island-level legislation.
• Approving the island’s budget and financial plans.
• Monitoring and scrutinising the actions of the Island President and executive bodies.
• Representing the political and social interests of the island’s population.

This legislative competence is intended to enhance democratic participation and ensure that local priorities are addressed within the broader national framework.

Structure and Composition

The Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Grande Comore is a unicameral body whose members are elected through popular vote. The number of seats is determined by constitutional and electoral provisions, taking into account population size and administrative considerations.
Following the 2004 legislative elections, the Assembly was composed of 20 members. These members represented constituencies across Grande Comore, including urban centres and rural districts. The relatively compact size of the Assembly was designed to promote efficiency while maintaining adequate representation.
Assembly members serve fixed terms and are expected to participate in plenary sessions, committee work, and legislative debates. Through these mechanisms, the Assembly fulfils its law-making and oversight responsibilities.

Elections of 2004

The legislative elections of 2004 were held in two rounds on 14 and 21 March 2004, consistent with the electoral system used throughout the Comoros at the time. These elections were conducted against a backdrop of political competition between island authorities and the federal government, as well as ongoing efforts to stabilise the post-autonomy political order.
The principal political divide in the elections centred on allegiance to the Island President of Grande Comore, Abdou Soul Elbak, and support for the President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani. Candidates and parties were largely aligned with one of these two poles, reflecting broader debates over the scope of island autonomy and federal influence.
The election results were as follows:

• 14 seats were won by supporters of Island President Abdou Soul Elbak.
• 6 seats were secured by supporters of federal President Azali Assoumani.

These results gave the Island President a clear majority in the Assembly, enabling him to govern with strong legislative backing.

Political Implications of the 2004 Results

The outcome of the 2004 elections significantly shaped the political landscape of Grande Comore. With a majority of supportive legislators, President Abdou Soul Elbak was well positioned to advance his policy agenda and exercise effective control over island governance.
The dominance of pro-island executive forces had several implications:

• Legislative processes were generally aligned with the priorities of the Island Presidency.
• Opposition voices, while present, had limited capacity to block or amend legislation.
• The Assembly functioned largely as a cooperative partner to the executive rather than a confrontational check on power.

At the same time, the presence of federal-aligned members ensured a degree of pluralism and maintained a link between island-level politics and national concerns.

Legislative Functions and Areas of Competence

The Assembly of Grande Comore exercises authority over a range of policy areas devolved to the island level. These typically include:

• Local governance and administrative organisation.
• Economic planning and development initiatives.
• Education and health services within island jurisdiction.
• Infrastructure development and public works.
• Cultural and social affairs specific to the island.

Legislation adopted by the Assembly applies exclusively to Grande Comore, subject to consistency with the national constitution and federal laws. The Assembly also plays a role in adapting national policies to local conditions through implementation measures and supplementary regulations.

Oversight and Executive Relations

One of the Assembly’s core responsibilities is oversight of the island executive. In principle, this includes questioning ministers, reviewing administrative actions, and debating government performance.
Following the 2004 elections, however, the strong alignment between the legislative majority and the Island President led to a relatively harmonious executive–legislative relationship. While this facilitated policy implementation and administrative coordination, it also raised concerns about the robustness of democratic oversight and institutional independence.
Observers noted that effective checks and balances depended heavily on political will rather than formal mechanisms, particularly during periods of unified political control.

Relationship with Federal Institutions

Grande Comore’s Assembly occupies a unique position due to the island’s status as the political and administrative centre of the Union of the Comoros. This proximity to federal institutions has influenced the Assembly’s interactions with national authorities.
While the constitution guarantees island autonomy, overlaps in competencies and political rivalries have occasionally generated friction between island and federal bodies. The composition of the 2004 Assembly, with a majority supportive of the Island President and a minority aligned with the federal executive, reflected these dynamics.
The Assembly thus served as an arena in which broader debates about decentralisation, sovereignty, and national cohesion were played out.

Challenges and Criticism

Like other island assemblies in the Comoros, the Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Grande Comore has faced a number of structural and political challenges. These have included:

• Limited legislative resources and technical capacity.
• Dependence on the executive for information and implementation.
• Political polarisation linked to island–federal relations.
• The impact of constitutional revisions on institutional stability.