SUMMARY
The Comoro Island of Anjouan declared itself independent from the cluster of islands constituting the island nation of Comoros on 3 August 1997. The Comoros gained independence from France in 1975. The period after independence was volatile with numerous coups, both botched, and successful. The French mercenary Bob Denard was a central figure in the Comoros, taking part in several of the coups with the alleged backing of France. When declaring independence from the Comoros, Anjouan, through its acting President Abdallah Ibrahim expressed the wishes of once again being incorporated into the French Republic.
Accounts of the Anjouan history are scarce; most of the descriptions depart from the declaration of independence and the tumultuous events that followed. Some sources claim that the movement for an independent Anjouan was born in 1995 and initiated by a small group of Comorian veterans of the French army who called for independence of the island. There was no sign of activity by the separatists until the Comorian President Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim enforced a number of constitutional changes throughout 1996 and 1997 which made him fairly unpopular on the Comoros. Given the faltering support for the president in combination with the poor Comorian economy the secessionist movements gained support among the inhabitants of Anjouan. It was in this context that MPA (Mouvement populaire Anjouanais: Anjouan People’s Movement) gained momentum and eventually mustered enough support and resolve to proclaim Anjouan an independent state.
As Anjouan declared itself independent Abdallah Ibrahim was made president. He was, prior to the declaration of independence, leader of MPA. Abdallah Ibrahim resigned on 1 August 1999 and was then replaced by national coordinator, Said Abeid.
The Government of Comoros accused France of supporting the MPA/Republic of Anjouan with weapons and manpower in its intrastate conflict against the government in 1997. However, the French government denied this accusation.
The MPA/Republic of Anjouan has been involved in the state-based and non-state categories of UCDP organised violence.
