Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO1083
2007-10-22 13:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:  

TALKS BETWEEN COMORAN ISLAND LEADERS SEW CONFUSION

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR CN 
pdf how-to read a cable
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OO RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHAN #1083/01 2951335
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 221335Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0567
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0938
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 001083 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR COURVILLE
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, AND INR/AA
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E RMEDRANO
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR CN
SUBJECT: TALKS BETWEEN COMORAN ISLAND LEADERS SEW CONFUSION

REF: ANTANANARIVO 1056 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES BRIAN T. NEUBERT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND
D

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 001083

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR COURVILLE
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, AND INR/AA
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E RMEDRANO
PARIS FOR D'ELIA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/22/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM PINR CN
SUBJECT: TALKS BETWEEN COMORAN ISLAND LEADERS SEW CONFUSION

REF: ANTANANARIVO 1056 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES BRIAN T. NEUBERT FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND
D


1. (C) SUMMARY: Grand Comore Island President Mohamed
Abdouloihab's unannounced October 19 visit to Anjouan has
Union Government officials irate and the international
community confused. Anjouan authorities reportedly hope
Abdouloihab's visit will be perceived as the first step
toward official recognition of Anjouan "President" Bacar's
legitimacy, while Union Government officials have privately
expressed confusion and discontent. At the same time the
African Union (AU) representative expressed appreciation for
the recent USG statement in support of AU sanctions against
Anjoun authorities, he also worried Abdouloihab's visit may
undermine their impact. Whatever his intentions,
Abouloihab's already waning popularity at home is taking a
hit, as is public perception of the Union Government's
authority. In response to French objections, the Union
Government may remove some civilian names from its notional
list of people in Anjouan to be targeted by AU sanctions
(reftel). END SUMMARY.


2. (U) In a 20-minute closed door meeting at the Anjouan
airport, Abdouloihab met with his de-facto counterpart,
"President" of Anjouan Colonel Mohamed Bacar. Reportedly
hoping Abdouloihab's visit would be perceived as the first
step toward official recognition of Bacar's legitimacy,
authorities on Anjouan "rolled out the red carpet" during the
three-day visit. Anjouan officials publicy applauded
Abdouloihab's openness to dialogue, in contrast with Union
President Sambi's rejection of Bacar's proposal for further
talks.

NEGATIVE REACTIONS IN MORONI
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


3. (SBU) Following the visit, Abdouloihab's already waning
popularity on Grande Comore is taking a hit. Citizens are
publicy criticizing Abdouloihab, who was Sambi's favorite in
the May island elections, for "going behind Sambi's back" and
reneging on his public promise not to sit down at the table
with the rebel Bacar. Ministry of Exterior Relations
officials have privately expressed confusion, saying
Abdouloihab's actions were "not appreciated." The Parliament
in Grande Comores is split: some deputies have been calling
for a motion to censure Abdouloihab's government since
September, while others boycotted the extraordinary
parliamentary session called October 19 for this purpose.

AU SANCTIONS UNDERMINED?
- - - - - - - - - - - -


4. (SBU) AU representative Mourad Taiati convened an
international community meeting in Moroni October 22. He
first expressed his appreciation for the recent USG statement
in support of AU sanctions against Anjoun authorities,
saying, "The U.S. position is clear." He then expressed
confusion over Abdouloihab's "incomprehensible" visit, saying
he could have at least waited 45 days after the application
of sanctions so as not to undermine their impact. French
Ambassador Christian Job said France agrees with the U.S.
statement and also has trouble understanding Abdouloihab's
visit, as it sews confusion amidst AU sanctions.


5. (C) At the meeting, Minister of Defense Dossar presented
the government's notional list of 97 people in Anjouan who
should be targeted by AU sanctions, including: Colonel Bacar,
Anjouan "ministers," Bacar's chief of staff, civil and
military cabinet members, gendarmes, and civilians
(businessmen and parliamentarians). Claiming that innocents
could be targeted, French Ambassador Job asked that civilians
be removed from the list. The Malagasy Consul expressed
concern that the list only identifies name, village and
position in a country where the same names are quite common.
Date of birth and affiliation are also necessary to avoid
targeting innocent people. Dossar seemed willing to revise
the list.


6. (SBU) COMMENT: It is likely Abdouloihab intended his

ANTANANARI 00001083 002 OF 002


visit as an initial step to overcome inter-island problems
rather than a symbolic recognition of Bacar's de-facto
leadership. Regardless, it appears his failure to coordinate
with the Union Government may ultimately weaken the already
shaky public perception of the Union Government's authority
and possibly even undermine AU sanctions. AU Envoy Jose
Francisco Madeira will arrive in Moroni October 26 to discuss
sanctions further. END COMMENT.
NEUBERT