General information
Current Name: Government of Comoros
Current Name full English: Government of Comoros
Current Name full native language: n/a
Original Name: Government of Comoros
Original Name full English: Government of Comoros
Original Name full native language: n/a
Actor Chronology
This section contains information about (if applicable) group splinters, name changes, and alliances according to the UCDP definitions of these concepts.
UCDP has not recorded any Chronology Activities involving this group.
Conflict issues
Government of Comoros - Presidential guard
Conflict Goal Issues: The Presidential Guard, Garde-Presidentelle (GP), emerged in 1978 as a special force to protect then President of Comoros Ahmed Abdallah. The group became coded as a rebel group following the death of the President in 1989 after which the Presidential Guard attempted to seize power over the government under leadership of Bob Denard. During its brief existence, Denard called for the ousting of the government which took over following Abdallah’s death, for power to be handed over to the French army, and for him and his soldiers to receive financial compensation to leave power.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: The Presidential Guard stated one conflict dynamics issue, as Denard called for the French army to overtake control of the government, calling for a French military intervention, which was the only pronounced conflict dynamics issue by the Presidential Guard.
Conflict Resolution Issues: During its brief existence, the group released two statements pertaining to conflict resolution, when its leader Denard called for a general amnesty for himself and his soldiers and for financial compensation as prerequisites for giving up power.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Economic reforms, Oust full executive, Oust head of the executive
Conflict Dynamics Issues: IFI: Military intervention/foreign forces
Conflict Resolution Issues:
Amnesties, Compensation/restoration
Government of Comoros - MPA/Republic of Anjouan
Conflict Goal Issues: The Republic of Anjouan, also known as MPA (Mouvement populaire Anjouanais, Anjouan People’s Movement) or MPA/Republic of Anjouan, was a secessionist rebel group fighting for independence for the Island of Anjouan from the rest of the Comoros islands. The group was characterized by Anjouanese ethnicity and Muslim faith as well as nationalistic elements. MPA declared itself independent from Comoros in 1997, which established the Republic of Anjouan, and the group stated several conflict goal issues during this year. Naturally, the group declared its intentions to become an independent entity from Comoros, stating that “Anjouan belonged to the Anjouanais”, but the group also stated its intentions to rejoin the Republic of France. The group also called for economic and citizenship reforms, stating that “Islanders will be free to choose either Anjouanese, Comoran or French nationality” and that “The national currency will be the Comoran franc.” This also included protecting the language rights of the Anjouanese people. MPA/Republic of Anjouan also stated its intentions to hold a referendum to determine the future of Anjouan.
As the conflict progressed, issues of rejoining France and of holding a national referendum were not explicitly reemphasized. However, all other conflict goal issues raised during 1997 were restated in 1998. The group also stated several new issues, calling for the establishment of democracy in Anjouan and rejecting all Comorian laws through a constitutional referendum. This referendum also established a Anjouanese constitution, which contained many further issues, such as protecting the religious-, civil¬-, gender-, cultural-, labor-, and language rights of Anjouanese citizens, ensuring the sovereignty of Anjouan, protecting freedom of association, expression, and movement, ensuring access to public services, and implementing executive-, judicial-, and military reform.
The main conflict goal issue of MPA/Republic of Anjouan was the issue of independence. This issue was both central to the group and shaped its existence and was also heavily emphasized and frequently for the group’s coded years.
Conflict Dynamics Issues: MPA/Republic of Anjouan stated several conflict dynamics issues during its first year of existence, implicitly accusing the Comorian government of unwarranted bloodshed and abuses in its declaration of independence. The group also called upon the international community, particularly France, “to hear the cries of distress of the people of Anjouan” and to recognize and support the movement. Calls for economic support were also interpreted, calling upon the international community to provide the island with oil as the government of Comoros had imposed an embargo on Anjouan, which also indicated calls for withdrawal of sanctions.As no conflict dynamics issues were continuously raised, no main issue was attributed to MPA/Republic of Anjouan.
Conflict Resolution Issues: In 1997, MPA/Republic of Anjouan stated one conflict resolution issue, calling for negotiations provided government troops were withdrawn from Anjouan. Later in the year, the group restated its calls for negotiations, stating that it was ready to participate in the “Organisation of African Unity” talks in Addis Ababa. In 1998, as part of the Anjouanese constitution, the group stated that members of the Comoran government would be held accountable and be indicted for their responsibility of crimes that were committed within their jurisdiction and that they would be brought before an ordinary court. As no conflict resolution issues were continuously raised, no main issue was attributed to MPA/Republic of Anjouan.
Type of conflict issues: Conflict Goal Issues: Basic needs, Change judicial system, Change of administrative divisions, Childrens rights, Citizenship reforms, Civil rights, Constitutional issues, CPS: Democracy, Cultural rights, Disband para-military forces, Economic reforms, Electoral reform, Foreign policy reform, Freedom of association, Freedom of expression, Freedom of movement, Gender rights, Independence, Irredentism, Labor rights, Language rights, Protection of natural resources/the environment, Public services, Referendum, Reform executive structure, Reform judicial system, Reform parliament, Religious rights, Restructure military forces, Rule of law
Conflict Dynamics Issues: Atrocities and abuses, DFI: Withdrawal of sanctions, IFI: Financial support, IFI: Political support
Conflict Resolution Issues: Accountability/prosecution/investigation, Call for negotiations
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1989
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Comoros - Presidential guard
1997
Actor Active in Dyad(s):
Government of Comoros - MPA/Republic of Anjouan
Group Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1989 Group Archive
Government of Comoros - Presidential guard
Troop Size: < 1000
Comment on Troop Size: The national army, the Force Comorienne de défense (FDC), consisted of less than 1000 men in 1989. There were several hundreds of gendarmes and police. There was no navy or air force.
Secondary Support: In the wake of the coup, France and South Africa - two former supporters of the presidential guard and its commanders - cooperated in diplomatic moves to rid the Comoros of the mercenaries. Both countries issued strongly worded statements, urging the departure of the elite guard and announced the suspension of assistance and of other cooperation with the Comoros pending a resolution of the conflict. Since France is Comoros chief supplier of funds and South Africa the second largest backer, this was a serious blow to the countrys already fragile economy, which is largely dependent on foreign aid. To pile on the pressure, France also assembled an impressive naval task force in the area. Even if President Mitterand in a statement ruled out the use of French troops, four French warships carrying 90 Marine commandos were reported to be cruising just over the horizon off Moroni, the largest island in the Comoros.
1997 Group Archive
Government of Comoros - MPA/Republic of Anjouan
Troop Size: 500
Comment on Troop Size: Comoros military consist of a small standing army a 500 troops strong defence force and a 500 member police force. Around 300 troops were despatched to invade Anjouan.
