Comoros Reestablishes Links To Swahili Coast

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000087

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/PDPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID ECON ETRD CN
SUBJECT: Comoros Reestablishes Links To Swahili Coast


1. (U) SUMMARY: After decades of instability and post-colonial
focus on France, the Union of the Comoros is rediscovering historic
links to the Swahili Coast of Africa. In partnership with
Tanzania's Board of External Trade, the Comoran Chamber of Commerce
will soon open an office in Dar es Salaam to improve and formalize
trade ties. On a political level, President Sambi remains grateful
for Tanzania's role in resolving the Anjouan crisis. END SUMMARY.

Common Arab-Swahili History
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2. (U) Over centuries of modern history, Comoros' moderate Muslim
culture evolved with close links to the east coast of Africa,
emerging similar to coastal communities in Kenya and Tanzania, in
particular Zanzibar. Comoran language is closest to Swahili and
also shares its Arabic elements. Comorans even note the shared
ancestry with Kenya, "sharing" credit for President Obama's African
heritage with the tongue-in-cheek suggestion that members of his
Kenyan grandmother could have come from the Comoros. The twentieth
century French colonial and post-colonial period redirected Comoran
economics and culture toward France -- 200,000 Comorans now live
there -- at the expense of cutting the Comoros off from its region.



3. (U) Comoran traders and elites interested in establishing a
sustainable economy for their country believe close ties with their
neighbors to the west are essential. The Comoros is isolated in
general, has strong ties to France that only benefit part of the
population, and trades less and less with francophone Madagascar,
where red tape and poor transportation links stifle trade. Comoran
traders supply the domestic market with imported goods, paid with
tens of millions of dollars in remittances from France. In recent
years, the trend is to import more from Tanzania and Kenya.

Comoros Trade Office In Tanzania
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4. (U) Fahmy Thabit of the Comoros Chamber of Commerce, told
Comoros Officer an office would be established at "Exposition Park"
in Dar es Salaam to facilitate and formalize bilateral trade. The
establishment in 2008 of the Tanzanian Ex-Im Bank in the Comoros,
including MoneyGram service, offers a more efficient payment system
for trade. Working in partnership with the Tanzanian Board of
External Trade, Thabit described an ambitious agenda to support
traders, expedite customs clearance, and improve transport links.
At present, the Comoros (COMESA) and Tanzania (SADC) do not have
efficient mechanisms in place to simplify and reduce the cost of
trade. According to Thabit, the GOT said they do not have data on
the value of trade with Comoros which is dominated by informal
shipments on five bulk cargo vessels moving between the two
countries. One published estimate reported Comoros-bound Tanzanian
exports (by weight) grew over 60 percent to 500,000 tons in 2008
over the previous year.


5. (U) Thabit elaborated that it is "natural" for the Comoros to
reestablish links with the Swahili coast based on centuries of
history. The Comoran Chamber of Commerce plans investment, health,
and cultural exchanges with Tanzania and Kenya. Finding France,
Mayotte, and Reunion expensive or inaccessible, many Comorans travel
to Tanzania for medical treatment. Said Mchangama, President of the
Mayor's Association of Grande Comore, emphasized that links to
Tanzania are essential for poor Comorans to relearn basic skills to
generate grassroots economic subsistence. According to Thabit, the
Comoros will benefit from the relatively sophisticated Tanzanians
and Kenyans for training and support in artisan industries, fishing
and agriculture. While trade is one-way now, the Comorans hope
African investors may establish operations here to export to their
markets. With Comoros nascent relationship with Gulf investors from
Kuwait and Dubai, the Chamber hopes to take advantage of regional
trade and tourism opportunities.

Strong Bilateral Ties
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6. (U) In late 2008, President Sambi addressed the Tanzanian
Parliament to express his gratitude for Tanzania's leadership in the
African Union military intervention in Anjouan to restore order and
depose Colonel Bacar. A Tanzanian delegation in Moroni in late-2008
told the Ambassador they intended to open a diplomatic mission in
Moroni, but did not offer a timeline. Growing numbers of young
Comorans are studying in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, finding
relatively affordable opportunities in higher education close to
home. Both Comoran Union officials and private sector operators
have told us of the start of talks with the Tanzanian counterparts
to address the threat of illegal trafficking between their
countries, reportedly in drugs, illicit timber and possibly arms.

COMMENT
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7. (U) Comoros history of political instability exacerbated its
isolation in the east African region. The Embassy's top objective
is political stability so that Comoros can become a responsible
country in the region in terms of security and economic development.
Renewed links to the Swahili Coast are positive and pragmatic signs
for Comoros' near term prospects. END SUMMARY.

MARQUARDT