Opposition Claims of Election Rigging
Opposition leaders in Comoros have raised concerns about the integrity of the recent presidential election, alleging instances of ballot stuffing and premature closure of polling stations. The government, however, has refuted these claims.
President Assoumani’s Inauguration
Comoros President Azali Assoumani was sworn in for his fourth term amidst controversy surrounding the January election. His opponents have accused the election of being marred by voter fraud.
Violent Protests Erupt
Following the announcement of Assoumani’s re-election with 63% of the vote, violent protests broke out in the country, resulting in one fatality and at least 25 injuries. Comoros, a group of three islands off the coast of Mozambique, has a history of political instability.
Challenges and Promises
With a population of around 800,000, Comoros has faced numerous coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. The country is also known for being a significant source of irregular migration to the nearby French island of Mayotte.
Assoumani, who first came to power through a coup in 1999, emphasized his commitment to peace and economic growth during his inauguration. Despite the controversies surrounding his re-election, he pledged to work towards a 5% annual economic growth rate and called for unity among political actors in the nation.
Constitutional reforms in 2018 allowed Assoumani to seek re-election in 2019 by removing the requirement for the presidency to rotate among Comoros’ three main islands every five years.