PRESIDENT SAMBI'S CAR STONED IN ANJOUAN

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000539 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON ETRD ENRG ASEC CN SUBJECT: PRESIDENT SAMBI'S CAR STONED IN ANJOUAN REF: ANTAN 479 & 531 ¶1. (SBU) Police contacts reported Comoran President Ahmed Sambi's car was stoned by angry protestors in Anjouan August 1. Presidential security forces fired in the air to disperse the crowds, who were venting their frustration with acute fuel shortages (Reftel). ¶2. (SBU) An Embassy NGO contact in Anjouan expressed little surprise that Sambi was not welcomed on his home island. The President's soaring popularity after the March military action in Anjouan has quickly plummeted, as efforts to rebuild Anjouan and revitalize Comoros' moribund economy have had little effect to improve livelihoods. The abrupt cancellation of the Total fuel contract, leading to the ongoing fuel crisis, appears to have been the last straw for many Comorans. ¶3. (SBU) COMMENT: Sambi's "honeymoon" after ousting Colonel Bacar and restoring Union authority in Anjouan would seem to be over. The fuel crisis is an all too tangible demonstration of incompetence in Sambi's Government. President Sambi will reportedly (and shockingly - although the trip is likely being paid for by the Chinese) attend the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Beijing. Given the Comoros' track record of 20 coups d'etat since 1975, and only recent establishment of democratic norms, Sambi's absence during this sensitive period does not appear to be very prudent. END COMMENT. SIBLEY