Office of the Governor – mwaliregistrar

Office of the Governor

Head of Island Government

The Governor of Mohéli is the head of the autonomous island’s government, serving as Mohéli’s chief executive and the primary representative of Mwali within the Union framework . The Governor’s Office (Gouvernorat de Mohéli) is based in Fomboni and is the central coordination point for all island government ministries and agencies. The Governor is elected by the people of Mohéli in island-wide elections and typically serves a five-year term. Currently, H.E. Chamina Ben Mohamed is the Governor of Mohéli, elected in 2024 as the first woman to hold this post .

Under her leadership, the Governor’s Office sets local policy priorities, implements development programs, and works in tandem with the Union government to ensure Mohéli’s needs are addressed. The Governor issues executive orders (within the scope of island competencies) and can propose local regulations in areas of island jurisdiction, such as community development, primary education, or local fisheries management. The Office of the Governor also oversees the day-to-day administration of public services on Mohéli, ensuring that healthcare centers, schools, and infrastructure projects operate smoothly. A key function of the Governor’s Office is to liaise with the Union government – the Governor represents Mohéli in the Council of Governors and often communicates Mohéli’s perspectives to the Union President and federal ministries. This collaborative role was particularly important historically when Comoros practiced a rotating federal presidency: Mohéli’s leaders coordinated closely to maximize the island’s benefit during its turn in national leadership .

Even after recent constitutional changes, the Governor remains Mohéli’s advocate at the national level. Within the Governor’s Office, a Cabinet Secretariat helps manage inter-ministerial coordination (see Cabinet Section below) and provides administrative support. The Governor frequently addresses the public through official statements or at events – these “Official Addresses” (such as the annual State of the Island address) are published in our Reports section for transparency. In summary, the Office of the Governor embodies Mohéli’s local executive authority, driving policy implementation and ensuring that the island’s governance remains responsive, accountable, and aligned with both local aspirations and national laws.