Moheli

Moheli, also known as Mohéli or Mwali, is one of the three islands which make up the nation of Comoros.

Geography and Demographics

Moheli is located in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. It is by far the smallest of the Comoros islands. Its population, as of 1991, is about 24000. Its capital city is Fomboni. Its main ethnic group, as on the other Comoros islands Grande Comore and Anjouan as well as the French territory Mayotte, is the Comorian ethnic group, a synthesis of Bantu, Arab, Malay and Malagasy culture, and the main religion is Suni Islam.

History

Until 1830 Moheli was part of the Ndzuwenie sultanate which controled Anjouan. In 1830 migrants from Madagascar led by Ramanetaka (who later changed his name to Abderemane) took over the island and established the sultanate of Mwali. In 1886 France made the island a protectorate. Until 1889 Mwali had its own French resident, but the island was then subjugated to the residency of Anjouan. The sultanate was crushed in 1909 when the French annexed the island.

In 1975, Moheli agreed to join the Comoros nation, along with Grand Comore and Anjouan. Political, economic and social turmoil effected Moheli and the Comoros in general. On August 11, 1997, Moheli seceded from the Comoros, just a week after Anjouan had done so. Moheli's secessionist leaders were Said Mohamed Soefu who became President, and Soidri Ahmed, who became Prime Minister. Moheli quietly rejoined Comoros in 1998. In 2002, Moheli ratified the new Comorian constitution, which provided for a less centralized federal government and more power to the island governments. It helped settle continuing political turmoil on Comoros and continuing secessionism on Anjouan. Also in 2002, Said Mohamed Fazul was elected President. His supporters won most seats in Moheli's delegation to Parliament in the legislative elections of 2004.