Population: 798,000 (387,000 under 18)
Government Armed Forces: unclear1
Compulsary Recruitment Age: no conscription
Voluntary Recruitment Age: 18
Voting Age: 18
Optional Protocol: not signed
Other Treaties: GC AP I, GC AP II, CRC, ILO 138, ILO 182, ACRWC, ICC

There were no reports of under-18s in the armed forces.

Government:

National recruitment legislation and practice

There was no conscription in Comoros. Military recruitment was governed by law No. 97-06(AF), which specified that the minimum age for entrance into the armed forces was 18.2

The 2001 constitution enshrined in its preamble respect for international human rights standards, in particular those relating to the rights of children, and specifically includes the right of children to be protected from violence.

Armed Groups:

There were no new reports of the recruitment of children by armed political groups or militias. Children associated with armed groups on the island of Nzwani during the secession crisis in 1997 were reintegrated into civilian life through two socio-economic programs with the support of the World Bank and the UNDP. The programs ended in 2002.3 Nzwani still had an armed militia, thought to be about 500 strong.4

Developments:

International standards

In August 2006 Comoros ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

1 The military resources of the Comoros consist of a small standing army and a 500-member police force, as well as a 500-member defence force. A defence treaty with France provides naval resources for protection of territorial waters, training of Comorian military personnel, and air surveillance. France maintains a small maritime base and a Foreign Legion contingent on Mayotte.

2 Confidential source, April 2007.

3 Ibid.

4 "Comoros: An expensive statement", IRIN, 3 August 2007.

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