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