Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim

Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim was born on February 20, 1936, in Mbéni on Grande Comore. Trained as a public works engineer in France, Taki served as Minister of Public Works and President of the National Assembly under Ahmed Abdallah before entering opposition politics.

Winning the democratic presidential election in March 1996 with over 64% of the vote, President Taki promulgated the 1996 Constitution, reinforcing Islamic civic values and judicial reform. His administration faced the severe national secession crisis when Anjouan and Mohéli declared unilateral separation in 1997; Taki worked tirelessly with the Organization of African Unity to negotiate national reconciliation until his sudden death in office in November 1998.