Anjouan

Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers (163 sq. mi.).

[edit] History

The first inhabitants of the island were explorers and immigrants from Indonesia and Polynesia. After that people all around the Indian Ocean began to come to Anjouan and the Comoros Islands. In about 1500, the sultanate of Ndzuwani was founded, which took over the entire island (for further information see: List of sultans on the Comoros). The Sultanate of Anjouan was the most powerful of all the Comorian sultanates. In 1816, Sultan Alawi bin Husein first requested French assistance against the Sultanate of Zanzibar which was threatening his domain. The island came under French protection in 1886 and was formally annexed by France in 1912. The strictly republican annexation was opposed by the last reigning sultan but his meager forces were crushed when they offered resistance. Anjouan joined the Comoros nation when it became independent in 1975.

In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli declared their independence from Comoros. However, the islands were reunified with Comoros again in 2002, a new constitution mandated the election of a President of Anjouan along with presidents for the other two islands and a federal president. Mohamed Bacar, who had lead the separatist government since 2001, was elected for a 5-year term as President of Anjouan. His term expired April 14, 2007, and the president of the assembly, Houmadi Caambi, became acting president from 15 April 2007 until he was overthrown by forces loyal to Bacar on 10 May 2007.

Peace talks were held between the government and the local regime in Anjouan and agreed to hold free elections in which Mohamed Bacar would stand. Although the Union government delayed the election - citing alleged irregularities and intimidation - Bacar felt able to prove his popularity as he unilaterally printed ballots and held an election in June. The result, as expected, was an overwhelming victory of 90 percent.^[1] In July 2007 he once again declared the island of Anjouan to be independent of the Comoros.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] African Union invasion of Anjouan

In February 2008, the Comoros rejected the African Union's extended sanctions against Anjouan and instead opted for a military solution.

In early March the Comoros armed forces were joined by around 400 international reinforcements from the African Union made up of contingents from Tanzania, Senegal, Libya and Sudan to be stationed on the island of Mohéli, which is the closest island to Anjouan. Vows of resistance from the self declared president of Anjouan were met with stern words from the African Union.^[2]

Hostilities began on March 11, when Comorian forces staged an armed incursion on the island, in which three members of the Anjouan Militia loyal to President Mohamed Bacar were captured on the coast near Sima and taken to Mohéli for interrogation. Diplomacy continued with an intervention by South African President Thabo Mbeki who attempted to delay the planned African Union invasion to the distinct displeasure of the Comorian government.^[3] It is understood that Mbeki spoke to the head of the African Union, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, by phone on 14 March to stall the attack, intended to depose Mohamed Bacar.^[4]

Despite this intervention, news agencies reported on 16 March that there had been clashes on Anjouan between the 14 March-16 March between local forces loyal to Mohamed Bacar and, presumably, those from the African Union invasion force. There were conflicting statements from both sides, with Comorian and African Union military source reporting that a fishing boat carrying around fifty soldiers from the federal government of Comoros landed in southern Anjouan and attempted to capture a police station. In a later statement Comoros Union Chief of Staff Salim Mohamed revised the information and said a reconnaissance team of about 10 soldiers landed on 14 March in the south of Anjouan island and reached the southern town of Domoni, where they attacked police and freed "political prisoners".

The troops then retreated back to Mohéli island and returned to Anjouan on Sunday 16 March to rescue the two wounded soldiers. According to a military source one federal soldier suffered an arm injury and another had a minor foot injury.^[5] The same sources reported that during the course of the operation "about twenty people" in Domoni died as a result of the Comorian/African Union bombardment of Anjouanais positions. These facts were disputed by the Anjouan administration which insisted that one of the two Comorian soldiers who had attacked Anjouanais positions in Domoni on March 15 had in fact died and that the police station was not captured. They stated that the Comorian/African Union forces had been ambushed by Anjouanais forces during the early stages of their incursion at Domoni and had been forced to withdraw from what was a hopeless situation,

France's role in the crisis was brought into question when a French military helicopter on a clandestine mission from Mayotte crashed in the sea close to the city of Sima on Anjouan. Reports stated that the crew survived.

The French military had already transported about 300 Tanzanian troops and 30 tons of freight to Grand Comoros Island between March 14 and March 16. According to reports a French diplomat said that France was ready to transport Senegalese troops as well, but had not yet done so. The diplomatic source said France remains "favorable" to dialogue but on condition that Bacar accepts the presence of African troops at the port and airport of Anjouan.^[8]

The main operation and ultimately the invasion of Anjouan began on 24 March with Comorian helicopters dropping leaflets on Mutsamudu and across Anjouan, saying a military assault was imminent and telling locals to stay at home. That evening diplomats confirmed five boats transporting approximately 1,500 soldiers had left Mohéli on their way to Anjouan. It was reported that the runway at Ouani Airport close to Mutsamudu was blocked with baggage trolleys and the atmosphere was tense as the island braced itself for the impending assault. Before the telephone lines were cut an Anjouan government spokesperson was quoted as saying:

In the early hours of 25 March an amphibious landing was made by Comorian troops supported by contingents from the African Union on the north side of the Baie d'Anjouan. The combined forces quickly advanced on the town of Ouani to secure the airfield. After the airport was secured the invasion force apparently split where part of it headed south-west to engage Anjouanais loyalists in the capital, Matsumudu, and the remainder headed south-east capturing the port of Bambao M'Sanga and the second city of Domoni without resistance.

There has been no comment from the government of Mohamed Bacar which by all accounts is in hiding in the interior of the island and unable to communicate. The Comorian Union government spokesperson said that the invasion troops had been told to look for him and were conducting house to house searches.

Eventually, Mohamed Bacar managed to escape to Mayotte by speedboat on 26 March to seek political asylum. He was subsequently held in custody by French administration and brought to the island of Réunion, where he is charged for entering French territory illegally. The Comorian government and the African Union asked for the extradition of M. Bacar. The Associated Press reported from Paris that France was considering a request for political asylum^[11]. These events caused anti-French protests in the Comoros, especially in the capital Moroni.^[12] On May 15 France rejected Bacar's request for asylum. Nevertheless, the French refugee office ruled that the ousted leader cannot be extradited to Comoros because of the risk of persecution. France's State Secretary for Overseas, Yves Jégo, said France would support the Comoran government's efforts. "We will continue to act in consultation with the Comoros so that the law can be applied and Col Bacar can be tried."^[13]

[edit] Geography

[edit] Climate

The highs on the island range from 27 to 32 degrees Celsius (80 - 90 degrees Fahrenheit) year-round. The weather is warm and humid from December to April and slightly cooler from May to November.

[edit] Culture

African mainlanders, Creoles, Arabs, Malay-Polynesians, Antalotes and Shirazi Persians make up the population of Anjouan. The main religion is Sunni Islam. Although the island is filled with large numbers of mosques, religious observance is not as strict as it is in many other countries observing Islam. Alcohol is forbidden. Because of the French influence on the island much of the cuisine is similar to French food.

[edit] Economy

[edit] Military

Anjouan has invested heavily in its national security. Main components are the Gendarmerie commanded by Commander Abdou, the younger brother of Col. Mr. Bacar, the strongman of Anjouan. A battalion size militia of approx. 500 backs the Gendarmerie. The readiness status of Anjouanais defence forces is unknown as is the armament and equipment status. However, the Anjouanais defence forces outweigh the neighboring Comorian defence forces and are regarded as somewhat more professional than the opponent (Comorian defence forces).

The Anjouanais defence forces is not known to have any air defence or naval warfare capacity.

The main strategic area is the airfield at Ouani with its 1.5 km runway and the bay with the coastal road from the capital Mutsamudu in the east out to the city of Sima in the west. The second most important (and the most populous) city on Anjouan is Domoni.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ COMOROS: Military invasion of Anjouan imminent, government warns. IRIN (2008-01-31). Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ "AU troops arrive in the Comoros", BBC News, BBC. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ "Comoros anger over chopper crash", BBC News, BBC. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ Fabricius, Peter; Carter, Chiara. "Mbeki intervenes to halt AU invasion", Independent Online, Independent News & Media, 2008-03-16. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ "Clashes erupt between Comorian forces and Anjouan fighters", AFP, 2008-03-15. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ "Comoros-Anjouan-intervention", African Press Agency, 2008-03-17. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ Amir, Ahmed Ali. "Comoros says French helicopter crashes on Anjouan", Reuters Africa, Reuters Group PLC, 2008-03-19. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ "Army chief: Comoros islands troops in clash with loyalists of renegade Anjouan ruler", International Herald Tribune, 2008-03-18. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ Amir, Ahmed Ali. "Comoros warns rebel island of attack", Canada.com, Canwest Publishing Inc, 2008-03-24. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ Amir, Ahmed Ali. "Comoros says its troops have taken Anjouan capital", Reuters Africa, Reuters Group PLC, 2008-03-25. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
^ [http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/27/news/Comoros.php "France considering granting asylum to deposed Comoros rebel leader Col. Mohamed Bacar", International Herald Tribune (March 27, 2008)
^ "France flies rebel out of Comoros", BBC News, BBC, 2008-03-28. Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
^ "Comoran rebel asylum plea refused", BBC News (May 15, 2008)

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