COMOROS' SAMBI POSTPONES ANJOUAN'S ELECTION

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000567

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
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ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU - AMB COURVILLE
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, INR/AA, AND DRL
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF/E - CKOLLMAR
DEPT FOR DS/DSS/ITA - DROTHSTEIN
DEPT FOR CA/OCS/ACS/AF - RBRANSON
JOAHNNESBURG FOR RCO M VEASY
PARIS FOR D'ELIA
PRETORIA FOR POLCOUNS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CASC CN
SUBJECT: COMOROS' SAMBI POSTPONES ANJOUAN'S ELECTION

REF: ANTANANARIVO 566 AND PREVIOUS


1. (U) SUMMARY: Union of the Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah
Sambi postponed Anjouan's island election to June 17, contrary to
international pressure. Deposed Anjouan island president Bacar
continues his "end-game" threatening to hold elections anyway.
Votes in Grand Comore and Moheli will go as scheduled; all three
run-offs, if needed, will be held June 24. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) President Sambi officially decided June 7 that the island
president election in Anjouan would be postponed until June 17 given
former Anjouan president Bacar has repeatedly blocked a free and
transparent process (reftels). A public announcement is expected
this evening, but senior GOC contacts confirm the decision is final.
Island president elections on Grand Comore and Moheli will go ahead
as planned June 10; all three second round run-offs, if needed, will
be June 24. Comoran civic leaders in Anjouan support the delay,
noting no candidate but Bacar has been able to campaign. At present
Anjouan is calm, the airport is open and secured by AU forces.


3. (SBU) For purely logistical reasons, most of the international
community tried to pressure President Sambi to stick to June 10.
Having traveled far and wide, many at the eleventh hour, they are
not keen to wait a week. The Embassy has three staff in Grand
Comore to monitor the election there; but will defer travel by other
observers until June 17 in light of the postponement. For his
part, Bacar insists he will hold an election on June 10 no matter
what - a difficult threat to carry out if reports are true that
ballots remain in Grand Comore. Elections organization in Grand
Comore and Moheli are proceeding smoothly.


4. (SBU) AU Envoy Francisco Madeira led a delegation to Anjouan
June 7 for negotiations with Bacar. Madeira's goal was to obtain
some concessions from Bacar to convince Sambi to stick to June 10;
but he was too late. Post awaits a read-out of what else was
discussed. Another flight carrying AU observers and equipment was
also allowed to land in Anjouan June 7, bringing the total force
there to over 100.


5. (U) The Embassy will distribute an updated Warden Message for
the Comoros as soon as it is cleared at the Department.

SIBLEY