Comoros: political tensions around independence celebrations

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The Comoros celebrates Monday, July 6, their 45th Independence Day. President Azali has decided to organize a ceremony on the island of Anjouan, under high security, where he has already been targeted by two assassination attempts. Anjouan, an island also where the next head of state should have come from if the 2018 referendum had not allowed President Azali to run for two new terms. His political opponents have announced their intention to organize their own ceremony, this one on Grande Comore. Authorities have stepped up warnings and cautions to dissuade them from doing so.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Moroni, Anziza M'Changama

To celebrate the 45 years of independence of the Comoros, the government spokesman announced a select committee of 250 people.

"  Too much,  " replies the opposition, who recalls that the country is still in a state of health emergency, since under curfew at 8:00 p.m.

The opposition had also called for a counter-ceremony, here in Grande Comore near the capital, a thorn in the side of the government which had already transferred a large military contingent for the security device deployed on the island of Anjouan.

Several ministerial press releases and prefectural orders recalling the ban on assemblies of more than twenty people were issued. The Public Prosecutor also held, on Saturday, July 4, a brief press point during which he quoted by name four figures of the opposition accused of instigating disturbances to public order, by planning to attack in particular ministries, Monday July 6.

Two of these four opposition figures were heard by the gendarmes in the process. If no offense has been established, this intervention by the prosecutor highlights the tensions hanging over the Comorian independence day.

► Read also: Elections in Comoros: the Supreme Court confirms the victory of Azali Assoumani

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