Comoros
Comoran opposition leader protests increased violence

afrol News, 29 August - Saïd Ali Kemal, Secretary-General of the oppositional Chuma Party, today protested the continuous political violence on the Comoran arhipelago, which he blames on the government of President Assoumani Azali. Government forces had shot at a child during manifestations.

- Yesterday, Wednesday August 28, will remain a black day for Comoros, Kemal says in a statement released today. Soldiers, upon Colonel President Azali's order, had "thrown dirt on our country" by shooting real bullets at a twelve-year-old child and molesting a cameraman of the French Speaking broadcaster RFO.

Kemal claims this political violence has its roots in "a political and institutional crisis that burst in 1997 and gathered momentum with Colonel Azali's putsch in 1999." It was therefore "totally ascribable to him."

According to the opposition politician, this proved that the reconciliation process was "neither sick or dead: it just never happended." Worse, it had erased "any hope of a real solution to remedy the paralysis of institutions, administration and economy in our country."

Kemal, along with the majority of the Comoran opposition and independent observers, claims that President Azali had staged this year's elections to remain in power. Azali had "imposed a partly - if not largely - unapplicable Constitution;" had "solemnly announced that he only intented to manage the transitory process;" and was now showing "to our country that he is ready to anything, including murder, not to concede any part of his power."

This situation, firmly denounced by Mr Kemal since 1997, could not last any longer. "Only a political and patriotic awakening coming from the Comorian people, and especially its political leaders can end it for real," he says.

The opposition leader therefore called for President Azali's "immediate and unconditional leaving; the setting up of a National Union Government; the setting up of an election for the Presidency."

This was "the only possible way for saving our country," Kemal holds." In this strive for an endangered people's survival, help from Regional and International Community will of course be very useful," he adds.

Sources: Based on statement by Kemal and afrol archives

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