COMOROS CELEBRATES AU ANJOUAN ACTION ANNIVERSARY

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000225 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD MOPS PGOV TZ CN SUBJECT: COMOROS CELEBRATES AU ANJOUAN ACTION ANNIVERSARY REF: A:ANTAN 200 B: ANTAN 87 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Tanzanian President Kikwete visited the Comoros March 24-26 to join celebrations of the one year anniversary of the African Union liberation of Anjouan. Lauded by President Sambi and cheered by throngs of Comorans as a national hero, President Kikwete promised closer ties with Tanzania. He also, publicly and privately, advised Comoran leaders to seek consensus to resolve political disputes. END SUMMARY. Put Out The Fire In Your Neighbor's House - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) President Kikwete was accompanied by FM Membe and several Tanzanian military officers to commemorate their leadership in the March 25, 2008 AU intervention in Anjouan to depose Colonel Bacar and restore constitutional order. Many thousands of Comorans greeted him at the National Assembly March 25, in Mutsumudu March 26, and in Moheli March 26 as President Sambi escorted his guest to all three islands. In Anjouan, Sambi bestowed the order of the "Green Crescent" on Kikwete for restoring unity to the Comoros. In his speeches, President Kikwete offered a Swahili proverb about the responsibility to "put out the fire in your neighbor's house." He also visited Tanzanian Ex-Im Bank locations in Grande Comore and Anjouan, promising closer investment and trade links with Tanzania REF B). ¶3. (SBU) The Tanzanian President also offered friendly political advice in his speeches (and reportedly in his private meetings with Sambi) to encourage consensus and reconciliation. He noted the recent Dialogue (REF A) and congratulated Sambi on his initiative to meet the three island presidents March 23. AU S/E Maderia confirmed to Comoros Officer that Kikwete carried stern messages from the AU Peace and Security Council, expressing concerns about the potential consequences if the constitutional referendum is not managed carefully. (COMMENT: It appears Sambi accepts this advice, having already met the island presidents and instructing his Cabinet Director Dossar to continue meeting these executives to reach a compromise on constitutional revisions, including prolonging his mandate to "harmonize" elections. President Sambi will reportedly wait for the outcome of these discussions before announcing a new date for his postponed referendum. END COMMENT.) ¶4. (SBU) President Sambi also honored Sudan for contributing troops (they were not represented) and Libya for financial contributions (a Libyan delegation joined Kikwete in accepting praise.) Senegal's offer of support was also noted, as well as the overall African Union leadership. At a state dinner hosted at the Presidency, Sambi also thanked other international partners who helped the Union resolve the Anjouan crisis, including France and the United States. MARQUARDT