How did the 2001 constitution attempt to reduce conflict among the Comorian islands?

In the late 1990s, the stability of the Comoros was severely threatened by secessionist movements on the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli, as the existing constitution did not provide for the islands' desire for greater independence in their own affairs.12

To address this conflict and foster stability, the 2001 constitution introduced several key measures:

• Partial Autonomy: The constitution granted the three main islands partial autonomy, allowing each to manage its own local affairs.12
• Local Governance: Each island was empowered to elect its own president (later designated as governor) and legislative assembly.12
• Rotating Presidency: The agreement established a federal presidential term that would rotate among the three islands, ensuring that each island had a representative role in the federal executive branch.32

These changes were designed to balance the islands' need for local self-governance with the integrity of the federal union, provided that local actions did not infringe upon the rights of other islands or threaten the state.1