Highlights: Comoros: reactions after the call to demonstrate not followed by the opposition. After the re-election of Azali Assoumani, riots broke out in Moroni. The five opposition candidates called, without violence, to support the protest, but their call was not followed. A young demonstrator was shot and killed, and several others were also shot and injured. The situation in the country worries the Comorian National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms, which published a press release on Saturday.

The day of Friday January 19 was calm in Moroni as well as throughout the country, despite the appeal launched by the five opposition candidates who consider themselves cheated by the results of the…

Comoros: reactions after the call to demonstrate not followed by the opposition

Opponent Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed, candidate of the Orange party, files his appeal at the Supreme Court of Moroni, Comoros, this Saturday, January 20, 2024. © David Baché / RFI

By: RFI Follow

With our special correspondent,

David Baché

and our correspondent in Moroni,

Abdallah Mzembaba

After the re-election of Azali Assoumani, riots broke out in Moroni and the five opposition candidates called, without violence, to support the protest, but their call was not followed.

Apart from a few small gatherings, no large-scale demonstrations took place, neither in the capital nor elsewhere in the country.

However, the presidential camp and that of the opposition do not draw the same conclusions.

They called for demonstrations in “

the towns and villages

” of the country, and to “

take over the roads

”, after Friday prayers.

The day, however, remained very calm.

Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed, from the Orange party, is one of the five opposition candidates who launched this appeal: “

The most important thing is that yesterday

[Friday January 19] was

a day of prayer in memory of this young person

[killed by bullets during the two days of riots]

and to denounce the disproportionate use of force.
This is not a missed appointment.
It was a day of prayer.
Not all were from Moroni and each prayed at home.

Houmed Msaidié, government spokesperson and campaign director of President Azali Assoumani obviously sees things differently: “

People never respond to their call to demonstrate.
The country goes about its business.
Comorians are not ready to listen to their incessant calls.
It would be better if our candidate friends resolved to approach legal institutions instead of continuing to make appeals in the wind

This Friday morning, without renouncing other forms of action, two of the five opposition candidates filed appeals before the Supreme Court to obtain the annulment of the presidential election.

A third plans to do so at the start of next week.

The movement of the re-elected president, Azali Assoumani, also announces that it is filing an appeal, estimating that the participation rate is 60% and not 16%, which,

de facto

, calls into question the results of the election.

We have opted to use all possible legal avenues.

The peace, the stability of this country lies in this building, the Supreme Court.

Because today we brought back all the evidence.

01:04

Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed, candidate of the Orange party

David Bache

The concern of the CNDHL

The situation in the country worries the Comorian National Commission for Human Rights and Freedoms, which published a press release on Saturday.

The CNDHL begins by inviting the population, the State and political actors to “

restraint.

Although calm has returned since Friday, the previous days were marked by violent incidents.

Several public and private buildings were set on fire or ransacked, state agents attacked and a police officer beaten.

The CNDH therefore insists on “

the need to maintain public order.

A young demonstrator was shot and killed, and several others were also shot and injured.

On all these “tragic events”, the CNDH “demands the opening of a judicial investigation”, so that the real responsibilities are located impartially.

Finally, numerous arrests were made.

Sometimes, as evidenced by videos circulating on social networks, in a very brutal manner.

No official figures have been communicated but at least two political opponents and probably several dozen young protesters are currently detained.

The CNDH recalls that arrests must take place “

with scrupulous respect for the legal framework and human dignity

” and that “

every person in detention has rights.
»

Read alsoComoros: clashes in Moroni after the announcement of the presidential results

Comoros: reactions after the call to demonstrate not followed by the opposition

Comoros: reactions after the call to demonstrate not followed by the opposition

The concern of the CNDHL

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