COMOROS AWAITS SAMBI'S REACTION TO BACAR'S

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000452 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS ADDIS FOR AMBASSADOR COURVILLE DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E RMEDRANO PARIS FOR D'ELIA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR CN SUBJECT: COMOROS AWAITS SAMBI'S REACTION TO BACAR'S CONDITIONS REF: A) PRETORIA 1675 B) ANTANANARIVO 442 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The African Union's (AU) special envoy to the Comoros Jose Francisco Madeira returned May 8 from a second mission to Anjouan, bringing back with him approximately 15 Union government officials and soldiers who had been held hostage by "President" Bacar's forces. Bacar told Madeira he is willing to step down, given three conditions: that he (and not Union President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi) gets to name the interim island president; that he is not prosecuted; and that he is allowed to run for reelection. President Sambi and the international community are still deliberating over Bacar's demands. Meanwhile, residents of Anjouan have launched a peaceful strike calling for unity and expressing they are "fed up" with Bacar. END SUMMARY. AFRICAN UNION GETS BACAR TO RESPOND - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (U) According to radio reports in Moroni, the AU issued a communiquQ May 7 saying the President of the AU Commission considers the use of force in Comoros unacceptable. It appealed for all parties to respect the Constitution of the Union and the authority of the central government and asked the Union Government not to take any action that may lead to the use of force. ¶3. (U) The AU's special envoy to the Comoros Jose Francisco Madeira returned May 8 from a second mission to Anjouan. He reportedly brought back approximately 15 Union government officials and soldiers who had been held hostage by Bacar. Post is still trying to confirm whether any hostages remain, but security contacts report all military and gendarme prisoners have been released and are in good condition. ¶4. (SBU) During their talks, Bacar told Madeira he was willing to step down, given three conditions: that he (Bacar and not Union President Sambi) gets to name the interim island president; that he is not prosecuted; and that he is allowed to run for reelection. President Sambi and the international community are still deliberating over Bacar's demands; there has been no reaction yet. Union Government officials believe the negotiations are going well and hope to find a solution quickly. Madeira will likely return to Anjouan May 10, possibly carrying Sambi's answer. STRIKES IN ANJOUAN AMONG RESIDENTS "FED UP" WITH BACAR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (U) Although the situation in Anjouan is relatively calm, an unknown number of residents have launched a general strike calling for unity and expressing they are "fed up" with Bacar. Markets are closed. Employees of the gasoline depot, located in a village pitted against Bacar, are on strike, causing a general fuel shortage. The airport is selectively open, and telephone lines are still down. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Union President Sambi recently announced over the radio the Union Government "will do anything" to bring a peaceful resolution to the conflict with Anjouan. However, Post has a difficult time imagining him accepting Bacar's demands - unless the AU sends enough observers (and possibly security forces) to Anjouan June 10 to prevent Bacar from stealing the election. Bacar is reportedly looking to choose an interim president from among his government or court of appeals to help him keep his grip on the island in the meantime. END COMMENT. MCGEE