By RFIPosted on 10-20-2018Modified on 20-10-2018 at 14:35

On the Comorian island of Anjouan, the situation is blocked. The armed civilians did not surrender, this Saturday, October 20, despite the memorandum of understanding that was proposed to them, namely an official document guaranteeing immunity if they laid down their arms in the morning. The Minister of Foreign Affairs received this Saturday morning the diplomatic corps accredited to the Comoros to announce the desire to open a humanitarian corridor for families confined in the medina of the capital of Anjouan.

The promise of immunity did not bring out the armed civilians. Nevertheless, the government remains on course for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

" Unfortunately, this agreement was not respected by the other party. They did not surrender and they did not surrender. We, in any case, always favor dialogue. This is the government's position. As for the people who are somehow taken hostage or as human shields, inside the medina, we thought of them. We have not considered intervening militarily because we must avoid carnage, "said El-Amine Souef, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

El-Amine Souef also appealed to the international community to actively participate in a way out of the crisis.

" Steps have been taken, including the restoration of electricity and water, but we have asked our humanitarian partners or development partners in the international community to act as mediators and facilitators. All options are possible. They can indeed go there, they have representatives on site and then there is also the phone that works, "said the Comorian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The inhabitants of the medina who wish to leave there also have the possibility of doing so.

    On the same subject

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