45th anniversary of independence in the Comoros: the warnings of President Assoumani

(Illustrative photo) The President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, in Moroni, on July 30, 2018. TONY KARUMBA / AFP

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President Azali Assoumani has decided that this year the ceremony will take place in Anjouan and not in Grande Comore, where the capital is located. A whole symbol. Indeed, if he had not organized in 2018 a constitutional referendum allowing him to run for two additional mandates, the system of rotating presidency between the islands would have installed a head of state from Anjouan in power in 2021.

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With our correspondent in Moroni ,   Anziza M'Changama

For the occasion, an important security device was deployed on the island where the head of state escaped an assassination attempt last April. It is a stadium under high protection which sheltered the celebration of independence this Monday morning. In his speech, President Azali frontally accused the opposition of lulling the Comorians into illusion by going back on the electoral calendar before the constitutional referendum.

"  In 2024 whoever wishes, will be a candidate for the presidency. But don't lie to each other. Do not fabricate reasons for contention. We did not do it in the Assembly, but we held a referendum. I stopped my mandate to redo elections and they all came to be candidates. So why now speak of presidential 2021? They themselves were candidates in 2019. If they win and change the Constitution, it is their right. But let them wait until 2024 to do so.  "

The Head of State also announced the relaxation of health security measures eagerly awaited by the population: “  Collective prayers are once again authorized. Discussions are underway with the airlines with a view to the gradual opening of international borders. We have also decided to postpone the curfew which will go from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.  "

An opposition celebration organized by the opposition also took place a few kilometers from the capital Moroni.

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  • Comoros
  • Azali Assoumani

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