Comoros President Pleased With Referendum Win

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000357 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CN SUBJECT: Comoros President Pleased With Referendum Win ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Comoros President Sambi received AU S/E Madeira, the diplomatic corps, and 10 Libyan elections observers the day after his apparently successful constitutional referendum May 17. While an official Constitutional Court declaration of the result is pending, the President outlined his plans to implement the new constitution, streamline governance, and develop the Comoros. END SUMMARY. Sambi, "I Am A Democrat" - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. (SBU) While still awaiting the Constitutional Court's official ruling on the May 17 referendum (a formality),Comoros President Sambi received the international community under a tree on his lawn at the Beit-Salaam presidential compound. Clearly pleased with the outcome, the President explained he would issue a decree in the coming days to promulgate the new constitution and establish a commission to implement new legal authorities and create new institutional structures. ¶3. (SBU) In addition to African Union Special Envoy Madeira and resident diplomats -- France, South Africa, China, Arab League, UN, EU -- 10 Libyan elections observers joined the "celebration." The Libyans, five observers from the Arab League, and two from the AU were the only international observers of the referendum; they congratulated the President on the peaceful outcome. ¶4. (SBU) Thanking the observers, Sambi stated repeatedly "I am a democrat," and noted a recent world ranking of freedom of expression that placed Comoros 100 of 170, but "number one in the 'Arab' world, ahead of Kuwait." The President said the referendum was a mandate from the Comoran people to "change this country." Speaking, it seemed, more to the Arabs in attendance than the westerners, Sambi explained now he had the necessary authority to develop the Comoros into a prosperous Muslim and Arab country; if "you will finance it." International Community Shift - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. (SBU) The Libyan and Arab League delegations were eager to affirm the May 17 referendum they observed was proper and without incident or disruption. They "confirmed" official reports of over 40 percent participation and 90 percent for "yes." Concerned about procedure and controversy, France, the European Union, and La Francophonie (and U.S. Comoros Officer) chose not to participate as observers. The celebratory mood a Beit-Salaam was shared by the Arab delegations, while the rest of us asked questions about the future and about legislative elections. Comoros Officer took the opportunity to underline to President Sambi the continued importance of peaceful reconciliation in the Comoros as he moved forward. ¶6. (SBU) While AU S/E Madeira remains the "head" of the international community, influence (and favor) has clearly shifted away from the South Africans and western diplomats (and especially La Francophonie, who bemoan the "destruction" of what they created 10 years ago in the Comoros). In their place, the Arab League appears as the favored partner, having recently pledged USD 24 million to the Comoros. Libya's observer delegation signals continued interest, continuing their long-term links to the Comoros and political support for President Sambi when they financed the 2008 military action in Anjouan. ¶7. (SBU) (Note: The Libyan delegation leader spoke to President Sambi in Arabic; a colleague translated for the benefit of the Francophone diplomats present. To assure his Libyan brothers he spoke their language fluently and the translation to French was not for his benefit, he quickly spoke for 10 minutes in Arabic and after the meeting broke up mingled with the visitors conversing in their language. End Note). Next Steps... - - - - - - - ¶8. (SBU) In general, the new constitution concentrates power in the Union Government more than at any time since independence in 1975. Island "presidents" are renamed "governors," their "ministers" become "counselors" (maximum six per island) and their authority is specifically limited. The President obtains the power to dissolve the National Assembly (which does not currently exist, the Constitutional Court having ruled its mandate ended in April). The island parliaments are renamed "councils" and the "laws" they pass will carry less force. Islam is officially the "state religion." All mandates, executive and legislative, are now five years, facilitating an eventual harmonization of elections to be held on the same date. This also paves the way for Sambi to remain in power until 2011, and many still think he will seek a way to stay in office beyond then. A third Vice Presidency has been established, one for each island (President Sambi will have to name an Anjouanese to this post) to implement Union authority on his home island. ANTANANARI 00000357 002 OF 002 ¶9. (SBU) President Sambi reiterated his desire to hold legislative elections soonest, but insisting the Comoros could not possibly do so without financing from donors. (Note: AU, EU, French, and UN representatives are all considering this request. End Note). COMMENT: - - - - - ¶10. (SBU) In the absence of unbiased polling officials (opposition and civil society stayed away) there is no way to confirm the turnout; under 20 percent is a safe estimate. No doubt the 90 percent 'yes' vote is close to true, as the opposition urged supporters to boycott rather than vote no, which they did to a degree. END COMMENT. MARQUARDT