Comoros
African Union urges Comoro elections

afrol News, 1 February - In an attempt to solve the constitutional crisis in the Comoro Union, representatives of the African Union (AU), led by South Africa, are urging the Comoros to hold anticipated parliamentary elections and to quickly establish a constitutional court.

A power struggle between the Union's President, ex-military leader Azali Assoumani, and the President of the Union's principal island, Grande Comore, Abdou Soulé El'bak, is paralysing the island state. Both Presidents claim authority over tax collection, customs, the local gendarmerie and several other institutions on Grande Comore.

A regional AU committee this week visited the Comoro capital Moroni to have talks with the competing governments. The AU delegation was led by South African Foreign Minister Clarice Dlamini Zuma, and included senior officals from Mauritius, Tanzania, Zambia and the AU. Ms Dlamini Zuma has been involved in the Comoro peace process for a long time.

At the Moroni meeting, the AU reported to have proposed the "completition" of the Comoro peace process by holding parliamentary elections. Both the three autonomous islands' parliamenents and the Union's parliament should be re-elected, the AU delagates urged.

Also a constitutional court should be "established quickly," the delegation said. This court would have the power to rule in current power stalemates, establishing the competences of the different authorities according to the new and complex Comoro constitution - which stands above the three constitutions of the islands Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli.

The AU representatives, trying to ease the concerns of the Grande Comore government, noted that a constitutional court would be an effective control of the powers of the Union government, constituting an effective comptetition in regard to federal questions.

Regarding the four anticipated parliamentary elections, the AU committee emphasised that this also would strengthen the three islands' constitutions by legitimising them. The committee further warned about posting federal troops at polling stations - as experienced during last years' federal President elections. The AU itself has troops on the archipelago, which could provide necessary security, it was said.

The Comoro power struggle was initilised by the elections of the new Union's president, largely perceived as being manipulated by them military ruler Azali. The opposition made a strong comeback in the later Grande Comore presidential elections, where Mr El'bak forcefully defeated the ruling party candidate.

President Azali, who had hoped to use the main island as his local power base, has since the May 2002 defeat tried to erode the powers of island President El'bak. The autonomy of Anjouan and Moheli has been better safeguarded by leaders of a local origin.

According to the Union's constitution, the three autonomous islands of Moheli, Anjouan and Grande Comore are in control of almost any affairs concerning them, while Mr Azali's union government is to control defence, foreign affairs and overall economic policy.

As the political crisis in Grande Comore continues, local residents are getting increasingly frustrated by the stalemate. Last year, it was hoped that the establishment of the complex Comoro Union, including four referendums and eight elections, would put an end to years of civil war and instability. Now, optimisms have disappeared. Comoros has suffered over 20 coups and coup attempts since independence in 1975, and Comorans agree they do not want yet another one.

The only hope Comorans see is the ongoing effort by the AU to find a political solution to the stalemate. The South African government - being mandated the AU Coordinator to the Comoros - has led several initiatives to address the crisis. The islands' transition process is being monitored closely and South Africa, according to Minister Dlamini Zuma.

Sources: Based on AU, Comoro sources, press reports and afrol archives

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