Location: Comoros, an archipelago of four volcanic islands in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa

Background: The Comoros is a young democracy, having gained independence from France in 1975. The country has a history of political instability, with several coups and uprisings. The last presidential election was held in 2019, and the incumbent president, Azali Assoumani, was re-elected.

Electoral System: The Comoros presidential election is held using a two-round system. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote in the first round, a runoff election is held between the two top candidates.

Candidates: There are 10 candidates running for president in the 2024 election. The main contenders are:

Azali Assoumani, Comoros president

• Azali Assoumani: The incumbent president, Assoumani is running for a third term. He has been criticized for his authoritarian tendencies and for his handling of the economy.

• Mohamed Abdoulwahid: Abdoulwahid is a former prime minister and leader of the Union of the Comorian People (UMP) party. He is seen as a moderate candidate who is popular in the island of Grande Comore.

• Fahim Ben Said: Ben Said is a businessman and former minister of finance. He is seen as a reformer who is popular in the island of Anjouan.

Issues: The main issues in the 2024 election are:

• The economy: The Comoros is one of the poorest countries in Africa. The economy is heavily dependent on tourism and remittances from Comorians living abroad. Unemployment is high, and poverty is widespread.

• Corruption: Corruption is a major problem in the Comoros. The government is often accused of mismanaging public funds and awarding contracts to cronies.

• Political stability: The Comoros has a history of political instability. The country has seen several coups and uprisings. The government needs to do more to improve security and strengthen democratic institutions.

Outcome: The 2024 Comorian presidential election is expected to be close. The outcome will depend on the turnout and the ability of the candidates to mobilize their supporters. The election is also expected to be closely watched by the international community, which is concerned about the Comoros' stability and progress towards democracy.