National Reconciliation Day in the Comoros Date in the current year: February 17, 2026

The Comoros is a small archipelago country in southeastern Africa. Discovered by Portuguese explorers in the early 16th century, the islands resisted European colonization for more than three centuries, ultimately becoming part of the French colonial empire in the 1880s. Originally a French protectorate, the Comoros were made an overseas department of France in 1946 and granted self-government in 1961.

In 1975, the Comoros declared independence from France, three years earlier than agreed upon. This was followed by three decades of political turmoil. Less than a month after the declaration, President Ahmed Abdallah was overthrown in a coup by the United National Front and replaced by Said Mohamed Jaffar.

Jaffar remained president for five months, from August 3, 1975 to January 3, 1976. He was then replaced by the leftist politician Ali Soilih, who had participated in Abdallah’s ousting. Soilih’s presidency was legitimized by a referendum held in October 1977 but did not last long.

On May 13, 1978, he was overthrown in a coup led by Comorian politician Said Attoumani and French mercenary Bob Denard. The coup was financed by former President Ahmed Abdallah and former Vice President Mohamed Ahmed, who were living in exile after the first coup. Upon his return to the country, Abdallah was reinstated as president. Denard served as Commander of the Presidential Guard and had significant influence over state affairs as Abdallah’s right-hand man.

During Abdallah’s presidency, the Comoros became an authoritarian Islamic state. He ruled until November 1989, when he was assassinated under suspicious circumstances. It is widely believed that Denard arranged the killing. Following Abdallah’s death, Denard left the country. Said Mohamed Djohar then became the leader of the provisional government and was elected president in March 1990.

Five years later, Denard and his mercenaries overthrew Djohar. However, he was later reinstated to the presidency with the help of France. Shortly after his reinstatement, new presidential elections were held and won by Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim. Taki led the country for two and a half years until his death on November 6, 1998. During Taki’s presidency, the islands of Anjouan (Ndzwani) and Mohéli (Mwali) seceded from the Comoros, resulting in bloody confrontations.

Following Taki’s death, Prime Minister Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde succeeded him as interim president. In April 1999, Massounde was overthrown in another coup by Colonel Azali Assoumani. Although Assoumani had criticized Massounde for being a weak leader during times of crisis, Assoumani also failed to reestablish control over Anjouan and Mohéli after taking power.

The Organization of African Unity (the predecessor to the African Union) intervened and mediated negotiations between the Comorian government and the secessionist islands. These negotiations resulted in the adoption of the Fomboni Framework Agreement on February 17, 2001. The agreement established the present-day Union of Comoros as a federal state, granting significant autonomy to each island.

In December 2025, the Comoros government designated February 17 as National Reconciliation Day to honor the Fomboni Framework Agreement’s historical significance.