TWO-THIRDS OF COMOROS ISLAND ELECTIONS SUCCESSFUL

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000573 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE 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 MVEASY PARIS FOR D'ELIA PRETORIA FOR POLCOUNS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM EAID PHUM PINR ASEC CASC CN SUBJECT: TWO-THIRDS OF COMOROS ISLAND ELECTIONS SUCCESSFUL REF: ANTANANARIVO 567 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) This is an Action Request - see para 6. ¶2. (SBU) The people of Grand Comore and Moheli in the Union of the Comoros went to the polls June 10 to elect new island "presidents" (governors). The pro-Sambi candidate Abduloihabi (known as "Albino") leads in Grand Comore, followed by a charismatic lawyer, Larifou, with incumbent El-Bak in third. Results from tiny Moheli will come in soon. Run-off elections will be held June 27 if needed. AU: Better Late Than Never -------------- ¶3. (SBU) After days of deliberation, the African Union (AU) issued a statement June 10 praising the Union for its efforts to maintain unity and hold elections. The AU condemned Bacar for his actions (reftels) and declared any election he unilaterally organized to be invalid. The AU called on Anjouanese to vote June 17 in the legitimate election organized by the Union Government. Reports indicate AU forces withdrew from Anjouan over the weekend, lest they lend any credibility to Bacar. They will redeploy to Anjouan this week to prepare for June 17. Two EmbOffs plan to observe the June 17 Anjouan island election. Bacar "Wins" 89 Percent, With 10 Percent Turn-Out -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Deposed Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar unilaterally held an illegitimate election in Anjouan June 10, ignoring the Union Government's decision to postpone the vote to June 17. Neither Comorans nor the international community regards this election as valid. Turn-out was reportedly about 10 percent; with Bacar "winning" 89 percent of the vote. Predictably, Bacar used AU Envoy Madeira's June 8 "mission" to his advantage, announcing erroneously on Anjouan radio that the African Union had accepted the June 10 election date. Bacar further announced June 10 that "Anjouan is autonomous and no longer part of the Union." ¶5. (SBU) The Union Government remains unable to enforce its authority in Anjouan and the African Union is unable or unwilling to restore Union President Sambi's control there. The coming days are crucial: how will the Union Government follow through on its decision to hold elections, properly observed by the AU, on June 17? Bacar's actions and statements have carried Comoros to the brink of another secession crisis. ¶6. (U) ACTION REQUESTED: Post asks the Department Spokesperson to issue the following statement: -- The United States commends the Government of the Union of the Comoros for the successful island elections held in Grand Comore and Moheli June 10. We look forward to continuing to work with Union President Sambi. -- The United States encourages the Union Government to hold peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections on the island of Anjouan June 17. The people of Anjouan should be able to express their will in a democratic vote. SIBLEY