COMOROS: African Union troops start arriving in Comoros to support a military assault to regain control of the rebel island of Anjouan

Record ID: 454793

  • Title: COMOROS: African Union troops start arriving in Comoros to support a military assault to regain control of the rebel island of Anjouan
  • Date: 17th March 2008
  • Summary: (AD1) MORONI, GRAND COMORE, COMOROS (MARCH 11, 2008) (REUTERS) VIEW OF MORONI AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER ARRIVAL OF MILITARY PLANE CARRYING TANZANIAN TROOPS TANZANIAN SOLDIERS DISEMBARK AIRPLANE TANZANIAN TROOPS STANDING BY PLANE MILITARY OFFICIAL TALKING TO TROOPS TROOPS LINING UP COMORIAN ARMY COLONEL, ISMAEL MAGNI DOHO, AT HIS COMPUTER (SOUNDBITE) (French) COMORIAN ARMY COLONEL ISMAEL MAGNI DOHO SAYING: "In the coming days, in the next 24 to 48 hours, messages will be sent out to the people to advise them on how to behave." GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ABDOURAHIM SAID BACAR SPEAKING TO COLLEAGUES (SOUNDBITE) (English) GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ABDOURAHIM SAID BACAR SAYING: "I think we need enough men to be sure that once the operation is launched it will be successful because there are various aspects on this operation. We are not only trying to capture Bacar and his men, that is one aspect, but at the same time, we will have to control his militia." BACAR TALKING TO OTHER OFFICIALS (SOUNDBITE) (English) GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ABDOURAHIM SAID BACAR SAYING: "We also want to secure not only Anjouan but to secure the other and to stabilise the climate in the other Islands. So that's why this important deployment of the forces is crucial to make sure that we will reach our objective, try to stabilise, to bring peace, and at the same time, get the elections on the go." TROOPS WALKING
  • Embargoed: 1st April 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Comoros
  • Country: Comoros
  • Topics: Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVAAQVPKVE7TVUFTUIBKGPEEZTGC
  • Story Text: African Union troops have begun arriving in Comoros to support a military assault to regain control of the rebel island of Anjouan.
    Comoros' federal government is planning to invade, with the military and logistical support of allies Tanzania, Senegal, Libya and Sudan.
    A first contingent made up of 100 Tanzanians arrived on Tuesday (March 11). The government expects a total of 1700 troops from friendly AU countries to arrive by Friday (March 15).

    "In the coming days, in the next 24 to 48 hours, messages will be sent out to the people to advise them on how to behave," said Colonel Ismael Magni Doho, referring to the civilian population of the breakaway island.
    The AU has led mediation efforts to end a crisis that emerged last July, when Anjouan's self-declared leader, Mohamed Bacar, held an illegal referendum to extend his term.
    The AU refused to recognise the election and imposed sanctions on Anjouan's leadership, including a travel ban.
    Tanzania, which holds the AU presidency, has said that it hopes to send a message to countries across the continent that African states will not accept secessionist movements.
    The AU sent an envoy made up of representatives from the AU, France, the USA and the Arab League, to offer Bacar the option of surrender and safe passage to a third country where he would avoid criminal proceedings. He refused the offer.
    In recent weeks, the international community and Comoros government has said they see military action as the only remaining option and hundreds of national soldiers have been stationed on nearby Moheli island.

    "I think we need enough men to be sure that once the operation is launched it will be successful because there are various aspects on this operation. We are not only trying to capture Bacar and his men, that is one aspect, but at the same time, we will have to control his militia," Bacar said.
    On Wednesday (March 12) the Comoros military made a brief incursion from Moheli onto the rebel island of Anjouan, capturing three militia members loyal to Bacar.
    The government say they are concerned about the well being of the residents of Anjouan, who they say do not support Bacar.
    The federal government say the mission will bring stability to the fragile union between the three islands which operate with a complex political system that gives them four presidents.

    "We also want to secure not only Anjouan but to secure the other and to stabilise the climate in the other Islands. So that's why this important deployment of the forces is crucial to make sure that we will reach our objective, try to stabilise, to bring peace, and at the same time, get the elections on the go," Bacar added.
    Previous attempts by the Federal government to take control of the island of 300,000 people by force in 1997 and 2007 both failed.
    The Union of the Comoros has endured 19 coups or attempted coups since independence from France in 1975
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