Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ANTANANARIVO1350
2006-12-05 05:05:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:
Frustration in Comoros Over Unpaid Teacher Salaries
how-toVZCZCXRO6139 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHAN #1350 3390505 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 050505Z DEC 06 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3951 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0751 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0329
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001350
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/E
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
NAIROBI FOR USAID/EAST AFRICA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KDEM KISL CN
SUBJECT: Frustration in Comoros Over Unpaid Teacher Salaries
REF: A) ANTANANARIVO 1309 B) ANTANANARIVO 1307
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 001350
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/E
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
NAIROBI FOR USAID/EAST AFRICA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KDEM KISL CN
SUBJECT: Frustration in Comoros Over Unpaid Teacher Salaries
REF: A) ANTANANARIVO 1309 B) ANTANANARIVO 1307
1. (U) Frustrated Comoran teachers who are owed more than four
months of back salaries recently marched in Moroni, demanding to be
paid before returning to the classroom. Union President Sambi and
Grand Comore Island President El-Bak met with teachers'
representatives to seek a compromise. At the same time, the Union
and three island finance ministers met to find a solution to the
education financing shortfall. Chaban Mohamed, Secretary General of
the teacher's union, said teachers would not return to work until
paid at least two months' salary.
2. (U) Unconfirmed media reports indicate the European Union has
offered to pay the teachers four months of their salary. During a
November 27 stop in Comoros, French Minister of Cooperation Girardin
announced an 88 million euro aid package for the country; some of
which would presumably keep schools open.
3. (SBU) Despite the fact that France is the first and only country
to honor its commitments from the Comoros donor's conference one
year ago in Port Louis, Minister Girardin's 88 million euro aid deal
was met with suspicion in Comoros. True to inter-island squabbling
form, critics argued about which of the three islands would receive
the most aid. Island President El-Bak reportedly felt snubbed the
French Minister did not meet him. And rumors abound that France is
only really interested in preventing illegal immigration from
Comoros to its nearby territory of Mayotte.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Six months into his term, President Sambi still
has not delivered on one of his top campaign promises to pay
teachers' salaries so that schools can stay open. Amid reports that
Saudi Arabia and Iran have delivered millions in aid, in addition to
the EU, France and a small U.S. program, Sambi's failure starts to
appear less a matter of finance and more one of competence. Elected
in a freely democratic landslide victory, Sambi's honeymoon is
waning and long suffering Comorans want results. END COMMENT.
MCGEE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/FO, AF/E
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
NAIROBI FOR USAID/EAST AFRICA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID KDEM KISL CN
SUBJECT: Frustration in Comoros Over Unpaid Teacher Salaries
REF: A) ANTANANARIVO 1309 B) ANTANANARIVO 1307
1. (U) Frustrated Comoran teachers who are owed more than four
months of back salaries recently marched in Moroni, demanding to be
paid before returning to the classroom. Union President Sambi and
Grand Comore Island President El-Bak met with teachers'
representatives to seek a compromise. At the same time, the Union
and three island finance ministers met to find a solution to the
education financing shortfall. Chaban Mohamed, Secretary General of
the teacher's union, said teachers would not return to work until
paid at least two months' salary.
2. (U) Unconfirmed media reports indicate the European Union has
offered to pay the teachers four months of their salary. During a
November 27 stop in Comoros, French Minister of Cooperation Girardin
announced an 88 million euro aid package for the country; some of
which would presumably keep schools open.
3. (SBU) Despite the fact that France is the first and only country
to honor its commitments from the Comoros donor's conference one
year ago in Port Louis, Minister Girardin's 88 million euro aid deal
was met with suspicion in Comoros. True to inter-island squabbling
form, critics argued about which of the three islands would receive
the most aid. Island President El-Bak reportedly felt snubbed the
French Minister did not meet him. And rumors abound that France is
only really interested in preventing illegal immigration from
Comoros to its nearby territory of Mayotte.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Six months into his term, President Sambi still
has not delivered on one of his top campaign promises to pay
teachers' salaries so that schools can stay open. Amid reports that
Saudi Arabia and Iran have delivered millions in aid, in addition to
the EU, France and a small U.S. program, Sambi's failure starts to
appear less a matter of finance and more one of competence. Elected
in a freely democratic landslide victory, Sambi's honeymoon is
waning and long suffering Comorans want results. END COMMENT.
MCGEE