Comoros
Setback in Grand Comore referendum

afrol News, 21 March - The complex process of establishing the new Comoro Union suffered a setback as voters on the archipelago's biggest island, Grand Comore, rejected the local constitution in a referendum Tuesday. It remains uncertain which consequences this may have for the peace and unification process.

Contrary to earlier reports by afrol News, voters in Gran Comore did indeed reject the constitutional amendment presented to them in a postponed referendum Tuesday. According to unofficial results broadcasted by the state radio yesterday, 58.89 percent of the island's voters had rejected the local constitution, created to give the island autonomy and its own, local president.

Tuesday's referendum on Grand Comore was one of a series of elections and referendums that are being held across the three islands Grand Comore, Anjouan and Moheli, which constitute Comoros. Anjouan and Moheli voters had approved their local constitutions in referendums just over one week ago. All these polls are to establish the new Comoro Union.

The establishment of the Comoro Union was agreed upon after lengthy negotiations in 2001, to end years of political crisis and violence on the archipelago. It is to put an end to centrist military rule from Grand Comore and to Anjouan's call for independence. In December last year, 77 percent of all Comorans agreed to a new nationwide constitution, defining the Comoro Union of the three islands and giving each of them great autonomy. 

Earlier in March, Anjouan and Moheli voted on their local constitutions, which were approved by significant majorities. These two islands are to elect their presidents on 31 March.

On Sunday, Grand Comore voters went to the ballot to vote on who would be their first President. The former military strongman, Colonel Azali Assoumani, who only stepped down from the Comoro presidency in January, leads after the first round of the poll. Grand Comore's President will also be the first President of the Union, and the presidency is to rotate on a four-year basis between the three islands. On 14 April, the islands will elect the Union's President among three candidates from Grand Comore.

It remains unclear why Grand Comore voters rejected the islands constitution on Tuesday. Officials from the Organisation for African Unity, which is overseeing the poll, said Grand Comore voters had complained they were not informed of the contents of the constitution. Other opinions varied between a voters' fatigue and a protest vote against the irregularities reported before the presidential elections.

Also the consequences of the rejections remain unclear. A constitution on Grand Comore is vital to uphold the complex process of establishing the new Comoro Union. The government probably will have to present the same or slightly changed constitution to the electorate within short time. Colonel Assoumani however says that the referendum's outcome would not jeopardise the transitional process in Comoros.

Sources: Based on press reports and afrol archives

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