Have you heard of the Comoro Islands? The Comoro Islands lie in the Indian Ocean about 200 miles off the east coast of Africa. It is made up of three islands. The biggest of the three is Ngazidja. It has a long scenic drive, lined with pineapple, breadfruit, and mango trees. People can also see the presence of potholes and trash along the streets.
According to The Guardian, on 2008 Comoro Islands' government officials flew to Kuwait. The purpose of their trip was about economic issues, specifically of their country. Based on a poverty survey last 2004, the nation was considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world. Their total population was 800,000 and half of it lived on less than $1.25 per day. That is how poor the nation was.
On the same year, Arab businessmen presented a proposal to the Comorian government. The proposal was to sell their citizenship to raise funds for the nation. The businessmen explained that there was a huge demand for passports in Middle East. Wealthy businessmen find it easier to travel and conduct business abroad with a second or third nationality.
The Comorian president at the time, Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, and his vice president, Idi Nadhoim, were intrigued and interested. Money was being offered to them, and they can use it for road repairs, buy fuel, and repair of infrastructures.
When the proposal was discussed in parliament, the Comorian officials viewed it differently. Were they willing to sell their citizenship, their nation to people they barely know? After the parliament discussion, the proposal was rejected. Unwilling to give up, the businessmen offered another solution. It was an all expense paid mission to Gulf states. The mission was joined by M'houmadi Sidi, the vice-president of the country's national assembly, Abdou Mouminé, the head of the parliamentary finance. Mouminé believed that Comoros should open its arms to foreign investors. He said, "Here in our country, we have a ticking time bomb." He added, "We have a university that churns out unemployed young people, and over the years, if these young Comorians don't find work, it's going to explode."
This event was said to change the fate of Comoros Islands. But it ended miserably. The plan of turning the nation into Dubai-like country was not fulfilled. It was a long-shot in achieving what was promised to the Comorians.