Comoros
Anjouan coup failed

afrol News, 5 November - A coup on separatist island Anjouan (Comoros) this weekend reportedly failed. Lieutenant-Colonel Said Abeid, who himself was ousted in a coup in August, led this weekend's coup attempt against Anjouan President Major Mohammed Bacar. 

Said Abeid had joined leading Anjouan into self-declared independence in 1997, in an effort that seemed to have been supported by the majority of the islanders, tired of the chaotic political and economic situation in coup-ridden Comoros. Abeid, whose popular mandate to rule Anjouan expired in December 2000, however clung to power, dissolving the Parliament in October 2000 and taking on dictatorial powers. This cost him popular support, brought doubts about the continuing struggle for independence and eventually led to the coup in August 2001.

President Mohammed Bacar since August has turned to a more reconciling line with the Comoran central government in Moroni, on neighbouring island Grand Comore. Abeid's coup attempt, it is assumed, thus was supported by separatist hardliners. 

Coup leader Abeid and his troops managed to seize Radio Anjouan, where they announced they had taken control of the island. Troops loyal to President Bacar however soon ousted the coup plotters. Bacar in a telephone call told Reuters news agency that his troops had routed their opponents and that the coup leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Said Abeid, had fled. 

- Heads will roll, Bacar told Reuters. "Some people have abused my confidence and taken advantage of the climate of peace and serenity which I have established and have collaborated in this coup." The search for Abeid and his loyals still goes on.

While Abeid's troops were in control of Anjouan Radio, the island's ex-leader told the Anjouanese he wanted to stop Bacar's steps towards reconciliation and possible re-unification with the Moroni government. Bacar allegedly favours a new Anjouan constitution, hollowing the island's independence, which is to be put to a referendum on 23 December. If accepted, the new constitution would lead Anjouan back into a new Comoran Union.

The outcome of the 23 December referendum is however totally uncertain. This weekend's coup attempt, not the first against Bacar's three months old military government, illustrates the polarisation of views on the island. Independence originally was wanted by the Anjouanese majority, but four years experience with independence have left dreams shattered.

Anjouanese grievances with the central government were rooted in the mistrust towards an endless line of coups and military governments in Moroni, disregarding the Comoran federal constitution and leaving the economy in ruins. Anjouan had hoped for a stable democracy and economic growth by fighting for its independence. 

War, international isolation and sanctions, dictatorial behaviour by ex-President Abeid and the following series of coups and coup attempts have however been the reality over the last four years, leaving many Anjouanese doubting whether the price for independence is not too high. 

On the other hand, Moroni is still ruled by a military junta, disregarding human rights and incapable of bettering the country's economic situation. Abeid's attempted coup thus is a reminder that the Anjouanese will have "to choose between pest and cholera on 23 December," as one observer noted.

Sources: Based on press reports and afrol archives

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