SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION IN COMOROS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ANTANANARIVO 000569

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

PARIS FOR D'ELIA
DEPT FOR AF/E
DEPT PASS USAID FOR DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNSELOR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM OVIP ECON CN
SUBJECT: SUCCESSFUL PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION IN COMOROS

REF: A) ANTANANARIVO 519;
b) ANTANANARIVO 473 AND PREVIOUS


1. (U) This cable is the first of a three-part cable; it
describes the inauguration of Union of the Comoros President
Sambi, attended by the U.S. Presidential Delegation. The
second cable describes the Delegation's meetings with and
assessment of the new government. The third cable provides
suggestions for U.S. policy toward the new democratic
government of the Comoros.


2. (U) SUMMARY. Representatives from many governments and
international organizations traveled to Moroni, Union of the
Comoros, for the historic May 26 inauguration of President
Sambi. The diverse delegations pledged friendship and
support on the occasion of the Comoros' first democratic
transition. Outgoing President Azali was present and
addressed the gathering. Raucous applause met Sambi's
inaugural address, in which he repeated many of the
aspirations from his campaign and vowed to bring justice and
development to the Comoros. Overall the event came off
remarkably well given the extraordinary circumstances. END
SUMMARY.


3. (U) The week after his decisive electoral victory
(reftels),Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi was officially
inaugurated as Comoran President in a festival-like ceremony
May 26. The peaceful and democratic transfer of power from
former President Azali Assoumani to President Sambi was the
first in Comoros' 31-year history. A Presidential
Delegation led by USAID Deputy Director Frederick W.
Schieck, including USAID Counselor Mosina Jordan and
Ambassador James D. McGee attended the inauguration and
associated events. The U.S. presence was enhanced by the
attendance of Rear Admiral Richard W. Hunt, Commander of the
Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA) and
his staff, and EmbOffs.


4. (SBU) Given the fragile authority of the 2002
constitution, and despite earning 58 percent of the vote,
Sambi and company were eager for the international
legitimacy best embodied by official recognition by the
United States. That this came in the form of a senior
Presidential Delegation to the Comoros on behalf of
President Bush himself, was enormously gratifying to the new
leader of the "poor, neglected Comoros."

Regional Leaders Turn Up To Salute Sambi
--------------


5. (U) In addition to the well-received U.S. Delegation,
attendees included: Madagascar Prime Minister Sylla, a
former Mauritian PM, the Tanzanian Vice President, the South
African Deputy Foreign Minister, and senior officials from
the International Francophonie Organization (OIF),Arab
League, African Union (AU),Indian Ocean Commission (IOC),
United Nations and a dozen other countries. Iran, Libya,
and Saudi Arabia sent substantial delegations of accredited
diplomats and officials from capitals.


6. (U) Official speakers sough to outdo each other to
highlight cultural, historic, or linguistic ties to the
Comoros. Demonstrating Comoros' complex heritage and
relations to many countries, speeches included parts in
Comoran, French, English, Arabic, Malagasy, and Swahili.
GOM PM Sylla quoted a former Malagasy President saying
Comoros was "the 19th tribe of Madagascar." The Tanzanian
VP began in Swahili, from which much of the Comoran language
is drawn, citing centuries-old commercial links.


7. (SBU) Of particular note was the South African speech.
In addition to congratulating Comoros for successful
elections, Sambi for winning, and Azali for stepping aside -
as most did - South Africa also called for the "emancipation
of women" so that development could be realized. Summoning
the notion of South Africa's struggle for equality, and this
year marking 50 years in the fight for gender equity, the

ANTANANARI 00000569 002 OF 003


Vice Foreign Minister made repeated and blunt appeals for
Comoran women to be made equal partners in development.
(Note: Part Two has Sambi's cabinet line-up, which includes
one female Minister. End Note).

Azali Gracious and Defiant
--------------


8. (U) Speaking briefly in French, former President Azali
was gracious to his arch-rival and successor. Then
switching quickly to Comoran, he turned defiant, asking
forgiveness for any "mistakes" he had made - a loud voice
from the dark cried, "It's too late!" There was raucous
reaction from the Comorans as Azali spoke which could easily
be mistaken for applause; in fact they were jeering the man
whom many felt had achieved so little. Despite this outcry,
Azali spoke with vigor before stepping aside for good.

Sambi Eloquent, Confident, With a Warning
--------------


9. (U) Beginning in Arabic and Comoran, President Sambi
stirred the crowd to exultation with his renowned powers of
oration. He spoke naturally, with several references to
Muslim values, thanking all those who had voted for him. In
Comoran he warned he would investigate "secrets" in the
coming weeks (referring to corrupt activities) and would
hold people to account. He called on all Comorans to accept
justice as corrupt officials and criminals were identified
and charged. Sambi thanked Azali, but mentioned his name
exactly once to spare his predecessor the taunts responding
to his name.


10. (U) Changing to French Sambi read a prepared text,
emphasizing stability, well-being, and unity in Comoros. He
thanked all foreign partners, naming South Africa,
Mauritius, China, France, Madagascar, Tanzania, the United
States, AU, UN, Arab League, EU, OIF, and OIC. He vowed to
respect the constitution and honor Comoros' international
obligations in the areas of peace, human rights, the
environment, terrorism, and organized crime.


11. (U) While the French portion was interrupted at several
points where rain appeared to have blotted his text, it also
included a soaring rhetorical segment on the nature of his
faith. "If to be an Islamist is to uphold Comoran values, I
am Islamist. If to be an Islamist is to be committed to
justice, I am an Islamist... to be a good Muslim does not
mean one is fundamentalist (or extremist)."

Well Run For Last Minute On No Budget
--------------


12. (SBU) A core group of multilingual Comoran protocol
officials pulled the inauguration off with a week to plan
and virtually no resources. All delegations received
personal invitations, greetings on arrival, and send-offs on
departure. Arrival and seating at the Presidential Palace,
albeit under a decrepit and fraying tarp, was orderly and
according to protocol.


13. (SBU) The inauguration ceremony itself began and ended,
remarkably, on time, as many visiting speakers were
efficiently ushered past the podium. Pouring water through
seams and holes in the tarp disrupted the VIPs once or
twice, while thousands of Comorans behind them braved the
elements to see their chosen President take office.
President Sambi solemnly took his oath of office before the
High Constitutional Court, then immediately descended to his
knees and pressed his forehead to the ground in the
traditional position of Muslim prayer. As he took his seat
to await his two Vice Presidents' turn to be sworn in, one
of his young daughters sprang from the crowd and landed in
his lap, held tightly by her father for the next 20 minutes
of the proceedings.


14. (U) Deputy Administrator Schieck and Counselor Jordan

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cleared on the general substance of this message before
their departure from Comoros.

MCGEE