Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ANTANANARIVO454
2007-05-14 13:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Antananarivo
Cable title:
AU BROKERS SHAKY ACCORD IN THE COMOROS
how-toVZCZCXRO4338 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO DE RUEHAN #0454 1341313 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 141313Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4761 INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RHMFIUU/CJTF HOA RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0898
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000454
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 CN
SUBJECT: AU BROKERS SHAKY ACCORD IN THE COMOROS
REF: ANTAN 452 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000454
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 CN
SUBJECT: AU BROKERS SHAKY ACCORD IN THE COMOROS
REF: ANTAN 452 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) In a deal signed late May 11 between Union of the Comoros
Vice President Ikililou, African Union (AU) Envoy Madeira, Arab
League Envoy Husni, and deposed Anjouan Island "president" Bacar,
the defiant Bacar finally agreed to step down as ordered by the
Constitutional Court (reftels). The agreement removed Union
President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi's choice of interim island president
and allowed Bacar to name Anjouan Island Economy "Minister"
Dhoihirou Halidi in that capacity until the June 10 election. In
public statements Comoran Union Government (GOC) officials defended
President Sambi's decision to accept the deal, noting this is a
small price to pay for peace and security. AU Envoy Madeira said
much remains for Comorans to decide, including whether Bacar should
be able to run for reelection.
2. (U) At present, strikes in Anjouan have ended and calm has
returned. GOC and international colleagues are confident island
elections will be held in Grand Comore and Moheli as scheduled June
10; but there is discussion about delaying the vote on Anjouan.
Forty AU security forces have been promised for Anjouan; these will
be bolstered by La Francophonie, the Arab League, and diplomatic
observers - including U.S. Mission staff.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Whether from paranoia or inflated
self-importance, Bacar insisted on having 11 personal bodyguards
from the gendarmerie; former Comoran officials are usually afforded
no more than two. At this point, Bacar seems to believe he can run
- and win - in June. Our sources on the island suggest he would
lose a fair election. If he did, there is real question whether he
would respect the outcome and where, under the circumstances, his
militia's loyalty might lie. The presence of international observer
forces is therefore essential to monitor and uphold the democratic
process.
4. (SBU) COMMENT (continued): President Sambi continues to push
for U.S. military assistance to help train his beleaguered Union
Army. The Gendarmerie and National Police also seek law enforcement
assistance. Our United Nations colleagues will support the June 10
election, and welcome any U.S. support possible, ranging from
Mission staff observers to financing. The Ambassador intends to
travel to Comoros May 19 for a one-day farewell call and, security
permitting, will meet island president candidates on Anjouan and
Grande Comore. 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 CN
SUBJECT: AU BROKERS SHAKY ACCORD IN THE COMOROS
REF: ANTAN 452 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) In a deal signed late May 11 between Union of the Comoros
Vice President Ikililou, African Union (AU) Envoy Madeira, Arab
League Envoy Husni, and deposed Anjouan Island "president" Bacar,
the defiant Bacar finally agreed to step down as ordered by the
Constitutional Court (reftels). The agreement removed Union
President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi's choice of interim island president
and allowed Bacar to name Anjouan Island Economy "Minister"
Dhoihirou Halidi in that capacity until the June 10 election. In
public statements Comoran Union Government (GOC) officials defended
President Sambi's decision to accept the deal, noting this is a
small price to pay for peace and security. AU Envoy Madeira said
much remains for Comorans to decide, including whether Bacar should
be able to run for reelection.
2. (U) At present, strikes in Anjouan have ended and calm has
returned. GOC and international colleagues are confident island
elections will be held in Grand Comore and Moheli as scheduled June
10; but there is discussion about delaying the vote on Anjouan.
Forty AU security forces have been promised for Anjouan; these will
be bolstered by La Francophonie, the Arab League, and diplomatic
observers - including U.S. Mission staff.
3. (SBU) COMMENT: Whether from paranoia or inflated
self-importance, Bacar insisted on having 11 personal bodyguards
from the gendarmerie; former Comoran officials are usually afforded
no more than two. At this point, Bacar seems to believe he can run
- and win - in June. Our sources on the island suggest he would
lose a fair election. If he did, there is real question whether he
would respect the outcome and where, under the circumstances, his
militia's loyalty might lie. The presence of international observer
forces is therefore essential to monitor and uphold the democratic
process.
4. (SBU) COMMENT (continued): President Sambi continues to push
for U.S. military assistance to help train his beleaguered Union
Army. The Gendarmerie and National Police also seek law enforcement
assistance. Our United Nations colleagues will support the June 10
election, and welcome any U.S. support possible, ranging from
Mission staff observers to financing. The Ambassador intends to
travel to Comoros May 19 for a one-day farewell call and, security
permitting, will meet island president candidates on Anjouan and
Grande Comore. END COMMENT.
MCGEE