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Anjouan falls to coalition forces
2008-03-26 09:18:16
By Juma Thomas, Moheli, Comoros
African Union troops have made a smooth entry into Anjouan, seizing complete control of the archipelago around dawn yesterday.
Speaking to reporters here yesterday, Comoros army spokesman Major Sidi Ahmed said the AU troops, under Tanzanian commanders, did not meet any resistance and no casualties had been reported.
Ahmed said AU forces have gained complete control of the island.
It is not known yet whether rebel leader Colonel Mohamed Bacar is still in the island or he has fled to Mayotte, a nearby island under French rule.
Comoros President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, addressing the nation yesterday, called on the people of Anjouan to assist the AU-backed troops to smoke out the rebels.
But he appealed to the Anjouan people not to take revenge on the rebels by beating them up.
``Do not take the law in your own hands by punishing rebels who will be surrendering. Let them face justice,`` he said in a televised speech.
A military aircraft distributed leaflets on Sunday in Anjouan, asking people to remain indoors as AU-backed troops pursued the rebels.
Schools, shops and other businesses in Anjouan have been closed down to give room for the operation, dubbed Operation Democracy in Comoros, to take its course.
Here in Moheli life goes on as usual, although the movement of people has been restricted during the night.
Task Force Commander Brigadier General Daniel Igoti told reporters on Saturday that his forces would capture Anjouan without problem.
More than 1,700 troops from Tanzania, Sudan and the Comoros are taking part in the operation to remove from power Col Bacar, who assumed the island`s presidency last year through an illegitimate election.
Senegal, which was to have dispatched 150 troops to the mission, has failed to do so. No explanation has been given for the failure.
Local people here have commended the AU for the decision, saying military action was the best option for people who do not respect constitutions.
``This should be the AU’s approach in dealing with greedy people like Col Bacar who are bent on shedding blood to remain in power.
Africa should teach these people a lesson,`` said Ahamd Shafir, who says he comes from Anjouan.
The continental body opted for military action against Col Bacar after he had squandered the opportunity given to him to surrender power to give room for democratic elections.
Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam last week, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation minister Bernard Membe said the AU had reached a point of no return and no negotiations would be entertained.
The Anjouan problem started in April last year after Col Bacar refused to relinquish power when his term ended. He then closed Anjouan airport, expelled union government forces and barred federal President Sambi from visiting the island.
Col Bacar thereafter held unofficial elections using his own printed ballot papers and declared himself the winner in June the same year.
Comoros is a union of three islands - Ngazidja, Moheli and Anjouan - all under a federal president.
Under the Comoros constitution, each island has its own president but all are responsible to the federal president.
Comoros has suffered about 20 coups or coup attempts since independence from France in 1975.
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