Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO442
2007-05-07 12:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:
Anjouan's Bacar Clings To Power
how-toVZCZCXRO7550 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHAN #0442 1271256 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 071256Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4747 RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0896
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000442
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR COURVILLE
DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E RMEDRANO
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA
SUBJECT: Anjouan's Bacar Clings To Power
REF: ANTAN 438 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000442
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR COURVILLE
DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E RMEDRANO
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA
SUBJECT: Anjouan's Bacar Clings To Power
REF: ANTAN 438 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) Press reports that (former) Anjouan Island "governor"
Bacar has accepted the Constitutional Court's decision for him to
step down remain unconfirmed. Post Comoros Liaison indicates that
Bacar stated he would resign - on the condition that he, not Union
President Sambi, name the interim island president. Union President
Sambi's selection for interim island president, Houmadi Kaambi, has
not yet been allowed to take office. Sambi is meeting late May 7
with the African Union and resident Ambassadors to discuss possible
resolutions to the crisis. At present, Comoros is calm and fighting
has ceased.
2. (SBU) Over the weekend, African Union envoy Jose Francisco
Madeira led a diplomatic corps mission including the South African
and French Ambassadors to Anjouan. The delegation met with former
"governor" Bacar, but did not convince him to step down. The
charter plane carrying the diplomats took President Sambi's wife and
several family members back to Grand Comore, at Bacar's request, for
their safety.
3. (SBU) Following last week's fighting (Reftel),Anjouan is calm
May 7. President Sambi changed several military leadership
positions, moving Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Amiri Salimou into
command of the National Development Army. Former Chief of Staff
Hamza is being held by the Gendarmerie in Moroni for several
allegations that he used his command to undermine Union force
attempts to take control of Anjouan. Hamza is accused of
deliberately sabotaging the Union forces and allowing Bacar
loyalists to retake control in Anjouan. As of May 7, two Union
soldiers have been killed in fighting and up to 20 Union soldiers
are still held by Bacar in Anjouan.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Given the Constitutional Court ruled Bacar must
step down and that President Sambi should name the interim, Post
views Bacar's actions as delay tactics. He has enriched himself in
myriad illicit dealings running Anjouan and fears prosecution if he
gives up power. Sambi continues to press the international
community, including the United States, to help him oust Bacar.
Post has also learned that possible exile for Bacar is being
discussed, though no country has stepped forward to offer him a
place to retire. END COMMENT.
MCGEE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR COURVILLE
DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E RMEDRANO
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM PHUM MA
SUBJECT: Anjouan's Bacar Clings To Power
REF: ANTAN 438 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) Press reports that (former) Anjouan Island "governor"
Bacar has accepted the Constitutional Court's decision for him to
step down remain unconfirmed. Post Comoros Liaison indicates that
Bacar stated he would resign - on the condition that he, not Union
President Sambi, name the interim island president. Union President
Sambi's selection for interim island president, Houmadi Kaambi, has
not yet been allowed to take office. Sambi is meeting late May 7
with the African Union and resident Ambassadors to discuss possible
resolutions to the crisis. At present, Comoros is calm and fighting
has ceased.
2. (SBU) Over the weekend, African Union envoy Jose Francisco
Madeira led a diplomatic corps mission including the South African
and French Ambassadors to Anjouan. The delegation met with former
"governor" Bacar, but did not convince him to step down. The
charter plane carrying the diplomats took President Sambi's wife and
several family members back to Grand Comore, at Bacar's request, for
their safety.
3. (SBU) Following last week's fighting (Reftel),Anjouan is calm
May 7. President Sambi changed several military leadership
positions, moving Lieutenant Colonel Mohamed Amiri Salimou into
command of the National Development Army. Former Chief of Staff
Hamza is being held by the Gendarmerie in Moroni for several
allegations that he used his command to undermine Union force
attempts to take control of Anjouan. Hamza is accused of
deliberately sabotaging the Union forces and allowing Bacar
loyalists to retake control in Anjouan. As of May 7, two Union
soldiers have been killed in fighting and up to 20 Union soldiers
are still held by Bacar in Anjouan.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Given the Constitutional Court ruled Bacar must
step down and that President Sambi should name the interim, Post
views Bacar's actions as delay tactics. He has enriched himself in
myriad illicit dealings running Anjouan and fears prosecution if he
gives up power. Sambi continues to press the international
community, including the United States, to help him oust Bacar.
Post has also learned that possible exile for Bacar is being
discussed, though no country has stepped forward to offer him a
place to retire. END COMMENT.
MCGEE