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2008 invasion of Anjouan

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2008 invasion of Anjouan

Map of the invasion of Anjouan
DateMarch 25–26, 2008
Location
Anjouan, Comoros
Result Comoros / African Union victory and replacement of Anjouan's government
Belligerents

 Comoros
African Union:

 France (logistical support)[1]		  Anjouan
Commanders and leaders
Comoros A.A. Sambi Anjouan Mohamed Bacar
Strength
2,000[2] 500[2]
Casualties and losses
None 3 killed
10 injured
100 arrested[3]
11 civilians injured[4]

The invasion of Anjouan (code-named Operation Democracy in Comoros),[5][6] on March 25, 2008, was an amphibious assault led by the Comoros, backed by African Union (AU) forces, including troops from Sudan, Tanzania, Senegal, along with logistical support from Libya and France. The objective of the invasion was to topple Colonel Mohamed Bacar's leadership in Anjouan, an island part of the Union of Comoros, when he refused to step down after a disputed 2007 election, in defiance of the federal government and the AU. The Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean has had a fractious history since independence from France, experiencing more than 20 coups or attempted coups.[7]

The invasion occurred on the early morning of March 25, 2008. The main towns were quickly overrun and the island was declared under the control of the invading forces the same day. Mohamed Bacar managed to escape to Mayotte on March 26 and requested political asylum. He was subsequently held in custody there by the French administration and brought to the island of Réunion. On May 15, France rejected Bacar's request for asylum but the French refugee office ruled that the ousted leader could not be extradited to the Comoros because of the risk of persecution.[8] Some analysts suggested that the AU was hoping to win easily against Anjouan to earn some international prestige to offset the failures of its struggling peacekeeping missions in Sudan and Somalia.[9]

Background

Tensions rise

In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli declared their independence from the Union of Comoros.[10] However, the islands were reunified as the Union of the Comoros again in 2002 and a new constitution mandated the election of a President of Anjouan along with presidents for the other two islands and a federal president. Mohamed Bacar, who had led the separatist government since 2001, was elected for a 5-year term as President of Anjouan. His term expired on April 14, 2007, and the President of the Assembly, Houmadi Caambi, became Acting President from April 15 to May 10, 2007.

Comorian federal troops tried unsuccessfully to take control of buildings in Anjouan and install a replacement president as mandated by a court in May 2007. Several soldiers died in those clashes.[11] The Comoran federal government delayed the holding of an election on Anjouan due to alleged irregularities and intimidation, but Bacar nevertheless printed ballots and held an election in June, claiming a landslide victory of 90 percent.[12]

In October 2007, the AU imposed travel sanctions on Anjouan's President Mohamed Bacar and other government officials and froze their foreign assets while calling for fresh elections. Additionally, a naval blockade of the island was implemented.[13] In February 2008, the Comoros rejected the African Union's extended sanctions against Anjouan and instead opted for a military solution. The union government contended that the African Union’s sanctions aimed at forcing Bacar out of power had failed to achieve their intended objective.[14]

Military build-up

In March 2008, hundreds of Comoran government troops began assembling on Mohéli, which is closer to Anjouan than the larger island, Grande Comore. Sudan and Senegal provided a total of 750 troops, while Libya offered logistical support for the operation. In addition, 500 Tanzanian troops were due to arrive soon after.[15][16] France, the former colonial power, also assisted the operation by airlifting AU troops to the area.[1]

Vows of resistance from the self-declared president of Anjouan were met with stern words from the AU envoy, saying "He will be overwhelmed...I am afraid to say that if he tries to do that, it will be the end of him physically, if necessary."[15] In an interview with IRIN, Mohamed Bacar dismissed the threat of armed Union forces landing on Anjouan. "[National president Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi] does not know anything concerning the military, but if I had to advise him I would say that it's not the solution. The first time [1997] the army came we kicked them out. The second time [May 2007] the army came we kicked them out. That means that if they try to come a third time we will kick them out."[12]

Anjouan promised to hold new elections in May 2008, which South African President Thabo Mbeki supported as a way to resolve the crisis. Mbeki once more tried to stop the invasion on March 14, but the AU disregarded his proposal and the invasion went ahead.[17]

Pre-invasion incidents

On March 3, 2008, a fuel ship supplying the Comoros Army caught fire in the port of Comoros' capital, Moroni. The cause of the fire was unknown.[18] On March 11, an armed incursion occurred on the islands where three members of the Anjouan Militia loyal to President Bacar were captured and taken to Mohéli for interrogation.[16] Diplomacy continued with an intervention by South African President Thabo Mbeki who attempted to delay the planned AU invasion to the distinct displeasure of the Comorian government.[19] It is understood that Mbeki spoke to the head of the AU, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, by phone on March 14 to stall the attack, intended to depose Mohamed Bacar.[20]

Location of Anjouan in the Comoros

Despite this intervention, a fishing boat with soldiers left Moheli for Anjouan on March 14. There were conflicting statements from both sides, with Comoran and AU military sources reporting that a fishing boat carrying around fifty soldiers from the federal government of Comoros landed in southern Anjouan and attempted to capture a police station. In a later statement Comoran Chief of Staff Salim Mohamed revised the information and said a reconnaissance team of about 10 soldiers landed on March 14 in the south of Anjouan island and reached the southern town of Domoni. Two soldiers were wounded, a federal source said. "The target of the operation was the Domoni police station in Anjouan so as to free political prisoners," said the source.[17][21]

The troops then retreated back to Mohéli and returned to Anjouan on Sunday March 16 to rescue the two wounded soldiers. According to a military source one federal soldier suffered an arm injury and another had a minor foot injury.[22] The same sources reported that during the course of the operation "about twenty people" in Domoni died as a result of the Comoran and AU bombardment of Anjouanese positions. These facts were disputed by the Anjouan administration which insisted that one of the two Comoran soldiers who had attacked Anjouanais positions in Domoni on March 15 had in fact died and that the police station was not captured. They stated that the Comoran and AU forces had been ambushed by Anjouanais forces during the early stages of their incursion at Domoni and had been forced to withdraw from what was a hopeless situation,

"Contrary to its republican mission the National Army of Development (Comoran Army) devotes itself to taking innocent citizens as hostages whose only wrong is to be Anjouanese and not Sambist. In addition to the fishermen kidnapped at Marahare and Mromhouli, a second aggression [by] the National Army of Development dissident forces supported by the trawler provided by Iran failed. The elements of the [Anjouanese] gendarmerie retaliated in self-defense, wounding two of the gangster attackers including one lethally," Anjouan Government Spokesperson [23]

France's role in the crisis was brought into question when, on March 19, a French police helicopter on an unauthorised, clandestine mission from the French-administered Comoro island of Mayotte crashed in the sea close to the city of Sima on Anjouan. Reports from officials in the Comoros said that no one was hurt in the crash. The helicopter was owned by France's Mayotte-based air and border police force.[24] Critics allege the helicopter was involved in an attempt to bring Bacar into French exile, and that Bacar was only holding out so long because he was protected by the French.[25]

"We don't know what it was doing. You can imagine the rumors. The government of Comoros did not allow them to come. They were not authorized ... The French said they sent other air and naval assets to pick up the crew." Lieutenant Colonel Salimou Mohamed Amiri, Comoros Government Spokesman [26]

The French military had already transported about 300 Tanzanian troops and 30 tons of freight to Grand Comore between March 14 and March 16. According to reports a French diplomat said that France was ready to transport Senegalese troops as well, but had not yet done so. The diplomatic source said France remains "favorable" to dialogue but on condition that Bacar accepts the presence of African troops at the port and airport of Anjouan.[27]

Invasion

On the morning of March 24, 2008, five boats transporting approximately 1,500 AU soldiers left the port of Fomboni, capital of the island of Mohéli.[6] Bacar and his troops vowed to fight until the last man was left standing, with an Anjouan lieutenant stating, "We will fight until we die."[28] Comoran helicopters dropped leaflets on Mutsamudu and across Anjouan, saying a military assault was imminent and telling locals to stay at home, a source close to the military said: "The National Development Army informs all inhabitants that it will be in Anjouan in the coming days or, more likely, the coming hours."[9]

It was reported that the runway at Ouani Airport close to Mutsamudu was blocked with baggage trolleys and the atmosphere was tense as the island braced itself for the impending assault. Before the telephone lines were cut an Anjouan government spokesperson was quoted as saying: "They have decided to kill but we are not afraid. We are well prepared. Our forces are ready and it's going to work!"[29]

About 450 troops landed on the north side of the Anjouan Bay at dawn on March 25. The first shots were heard around 5 a.m. (GMT+3) on the island, in the town of Ouani, near the airport and the presidential residence.[30] The combined forces quickly advanced on the town of Ouani to secure the airfield. The BBC reported that the island's capital, airport, seaport and second city were all overrun by dawn, to scenes of jubilation from the local population.[31] By mid-day, the presidential palace was deserted.[30] But other journalists reported that the invaders had "struggled to progress further under the automatic fire of Anjouan forces" and in the afternoon "clashes with heavy artillery continued to shake the town of Ouani."[28] The army was reportedly looking for Bacar's hiding place.[32]

"Colonel Mohamed Bacar has been spotted in the village of Sadanpoini where he is heading without doubt for a place to flee on board a kwassa (small canoe) towards Mayotte island, it seems, according to various sources, that he is dressed as a woman."
Abdourahim Said Bacar, Comoran Government Spokesman[33]

After the airport was secured the invasion force apparently split where part of it headed south-west to engage Anjouanais loyalists in the capital, Mutsumudu, and the remainder headed south-east capturing the port of Bambao M'Sanga and the second city of Domoni without resistance.[31]

Early reports indicated that the Bacar government had fled to the interior of the island and were in hiding, however later uncorroborated reports from the Comoros government on March 25 stated that Mohamed Bacar had fled the island incognito seeking exile in Mayotte.[33] There was no comment from the Bacar government but the Comoran government spokesperson said that the invasion troops had been told to look for him and were conducting house to house searches.[34]

Invasion troops continued to battle pockets of resistance throughout the island throughout the next day, March 26. Ambulances rushed wounded rebels to hospital on Anjouan and sporadic gunfire was heard. Officials said three rebels were killed and 10 wounded in the clashes. Also, the attacking troops took more than 100 prisoners, the bulk of them members of the Anjouan police force and some civilians close to Bacar, a member of the government's political-military committee said by phone from Anjouan.[35]

Aftermath

Mohamed Bacar managed to escape to Mayotte by speedboat and reports on March 26 confirmed his presence on the island and stated he had requested political asylum in France.[36] The Associated Press reported from Paris that France was considering the request for political asylum[37] but Comoran leaders demanded that France should return Bacar to the Comoros,[38] and there have been anti-French protests calling for the same.[39] France stated that it was treating the asylum request as quickly as possible,[40] but, on March 27, Bacar was moved to the French island of Réunion, where he was charged and investigated for illegally entering French territory while carrying weapons, along with 23 of his followers.[41] The case was rejected for procedural reasons, but Bacar and the 23 others remained in custody.[42]

By the end of March, several prominent supporters of Bacar had been arrested, including Caabi El-Yachroutu, a former Vice-President, Prime Minister and Interim President of Comoros. Three others were found in hiding near Domoni on March 29, including Mohamed Abdou Mmadi (a former Minister of Transport and spokesman for Bacar), Ibrahim Halidi (a former Prime Minister and advisor to Bacar), and Ahmed Abdallah Sourette (a former President of the Constitutional Court).[43]

On April 5, 2008, Bacar was remanded in custody.[44] Comoran President Sambi visited Anjouan in early April, marking his first visit to the island since May 2007. He said that he hoped that separatism in Anjouan would cease with the removal of Bacar from power, and he praised the African leaders who had provided assistance for the invasion.[45]

Contrary to previous reports that France was against the invasion, France gave its approval and helped to air-lift the AU troops to the island.[1] French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stressed on April 8 that France had not supported Bacar or provided him with any protection, and that it had fully supported African Union intervention.[46]

On April 18, Bacar and with 21 of his close guards were released from prison and returned to house arrest at the Réunion military airbase.[47] On April 23, it was announced that the French Office of Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides; OFPRA) had granted asylum to two of Bacar's men and refused asylum for six of them; those whose requests were rejected were to be sent to a third country and not returned to the Comoros due to fears of persecution. OFPRA had yet to rule on the cases of Bacar or his other men.[48]

Bacar's asylum request was rejected on May 15, 2008. Nevertheless, the French refugee office ruled that the ousted leader could not be extradited to Comoros[citation needed] because of the risk of persecution[dubious – discuss]. France's Secretary of State for Overseas, Yves Jégo, said France would support the Comoran government's efforts. "We will continue to act in consultation with the Comoros so that the law can be applied and Col Bacar can be tried."[49] Presidential elections in Anjouan occurred on June 15 and June 29, 2008. The election was won by Moussa Toybou, who defeated Mohamed Djaanfari in the second round.

References

  1. ^ a b c AFP (2008-03-25). "African forces invade rebel Comoros island". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  2. ^ a b "Comoros: Military action irreversible". Integrated Regional Information Networks Africa. 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2008-09-30.
  3. ^ Amir, Ahmed Ali (2008-03-27). "Comoros rebel leader flees to French-run island". Mail & Gauadian. Retrieved 2008-10-01. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ AFP (2008-03-27). "Bacar has asked for asylum in France". France 24. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  5. ^ "Troops head for Comoros island". Al Jazeera. 2008-03-24. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  6. ^ a b Goujon, Emmanuel (2008-03-24). "AU troops move towards rebel Comoros island". France 24. Retrieved 2008-10-01. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help) [dead link]
  7. ^ "Anti-French protests in Comoros". BBC. 2008-03-27. Retrieved 2008-10-02. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  8. ^ "Comoran rebel asylum plea refused". BBC News. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  9. ^ a b Reuters (2008-03-24). "Leaflets dropped on Anjouan to warn of attack". France 24. Retrieved 2008-10-01. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  10. ^ "Comoros violence kills soldier". News24. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  11. ^ Ahmed, Ali Amir (2007-11-10). "'We'll become more radical'". News24.
  12. ^ a b "Comoros: Military invasion of Anjouan imminent, government warns". IRIN Africa. 2008-01-31.
  13. ^ "Timeline: Comoros". BBC News. 2008-03-26.
  14. ^ Comoros Said Ready to Remove Embattled Anjouan President, VOA, 21 February 2008
  15. ^ a b "AU troops arrive in the Comoros". BBC News. 2008-03-11.
  16. ^ a b Reuters (2008-03-12). "Comoros troops capture fighters on rebel island". Polity.org.za. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  17. ^ a b "'Deadly clashes' in the Comoros". BBC News. 2008-03-13.
  18. ^ Reuters (2008-03-03). "Comoros military tanker ship destroyed by fire". Polity.org.za. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "Comoros anger over chopper crash". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 2008-03-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. ^ Fabricius, Peter (2008-03-16). "Mbeki intervenes to halt AU invasion". Independent Online. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 2008-03-25. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ AFP (2008-03-15). "Comoran forces and Anjouan followers clash". France 24.
  22. ^ "Clashes erupt between Comorian forces and Anjouan fighters". AFP. 2008-03-15. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  23. ^ "Comoros-Anjouan-intervention". African Press Agency. 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  24. ^ Amir, Ahmed Ali (2008-03-19). "Comoros says French helicopter crashes on Anjouan". Reuters.
  25. ^ "Comoros anger over chopper crash". BBC News. 2008-03-20.
  26. ^ Amir, Ahmed Ali (2008-03-19). "Comoros says French helicopter crashes on Anjouan". Reuters Africa. Reuters Group PLC. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  27. ^ "Army chief: Comoros islands troops in clash with loyalists of renegade Anjouan ruler". International Herald Tribune. 2008-03-18. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  28. ^ a b Goujon, Emmanuel (2008-03-25). "Bacar's troops in Anjouan not to give up until last man standing". ReliefWeb.
  29. ^ Amir, Ahmed Ali (2008-03-24). "Comoros warns rebel island of attack". Canada.com. Canwest Publishing Inc. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  30. ^ a b "African Union forces seek rebel leader". France 24. 2008-03-26.
  31. ^ a b "Battles on Comoros rebel island". BBC News. 2008-03-25.
  32. ^ Delay, Jerome (2008-03-25). "Comoros government says it has captured the capital of a rebel-held island". Associated Press via LexisNexis. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ a b "Anjouan leader flees 'dressed as woman' – gov't". Reuters. 2008-03-25.
  34. ^ Amir, Ahmed Ali (2008-03-25). "Comoros says its troops have taken Anjouan capital". Reuters Africa. Reuters Group PLC. Retrieved 2008-03-25.
  35. ^ Comoros rebel leader flees to French-run island, Mail & Guardian, Mar 27 2008
  36. ^ "Comoran rebel seeks French asylum". BBC News. 2008-03-25.
  37. ^ "France considering granting asylum to deposed Comoros rebel leader Col. Mohamed Bacar". The International Herald Tribune. 2008-03-27. ISSN 0294-8052. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
  38. ^ "Comoros wants return of ousted leader". Press TV. 2008-03-27.
  39. ^ "Anti-French protests in Comoros". BBC News. 2008-03-27.
  40. ^ AFP (2008-03-27). "France considering deposed Comoros strongman's asylum request". breitbart.com.
  41. ^ "France flies rebel out of Comoros". BBC News. 2008-03-28.
  42. ^ AFP (2008-03-29). "Court dismisses case against Comoros rebel leader". via LexisNexis.
  43. ^ "Former VP, other Bacar’s allies arrested in Anjouan", African Press Agency, March 30, 2008.
  44. ^ "Comoran rebel remanded in custody". BBC News. 2008-04-05. Retrieved 2008-04-05.
  45. ^ "Comoran president gets a hero’s welcome in Anjouan", African Press Agency, April 5, 2008.
  46. ^ "Comores: Kouchner dément que la France ait "protégé" Bacar", AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), April 8, 2008.
  47. ^ Bertrand Grollier, "France Releases Comoros Rebel, to Stay on Island", Reuters (April 18, 2008 14:50:39)
  48. ^ "Comores: asile politique en France pour deux hommes du colonel Bacar", AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), April 23, 2008 Template:Fr icon.
  49. ^ "Comoran rebel asylum plea refused". BBC News. 2008-05-15. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
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