Anjouan Leaders Risk AU Sanctions

PANA—Enraged by the intransigence of the de facto authorities of Anjouan and their lack of cooperation with the regional initiative to resolve Comoros’ political crisis, African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) has warned it may impose targeted sanctions against some authority figures on the island.

In a communiqué issued here Thursday, the PSC indicated such a punitive measure could be taken within a month if recommended by the Ministerial Committee of the Countries of the Region that is seeking promotion of a durable solution in the Comoros archipelago.

The PSC also expressed gratitude to neighbouring countries, under the coordination of South Africa, for their untiring efforts in support of the process of national reconciliation in the archipelago.

On the basis of recommendations of the ministerial committee, the Council has decided to review the mandate of the AU Electoral and Security Assistance Mission (MAES) and the strength of its forces in the Comoros.

According to the communiqué, the decision has been taken with a view to ensuring the effective implementation of the institutional framework as provided for in the Constitution of the Comoros.

“In this respect, Council requests the [AU] Commission to work closely with the Ministerial Committee of the Countries of the Region, with a view to submitting, within one month, concrete proposals, without excluding any option, for the consideration of the Council, regarding the implementation of the Cape Town and the Pretoria framework, including the imposition of targeted individual sanctions against the de facto Anjouanese authorities,” the communiqué said.

The PSC noted with regret the recommendations adopted by the ministerial committee during its meetings on 19 June 2007 in Cape Town and from 8-9 July 2007 in Pretoria “did not receive the expected positive response from the de facto Anjouanese authorities”.

Reaffirming its commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of the Union of the Comoros and the restoration of the authority of the Union in Anjouan, the Council has deplored the intransigence displayed by the de factor authorities of Anjouan and their lack of cooperation with the regional initiative as well as the PSC itself.

In the meantime, the Council has extended the mandate of MAES until 31 December 2007 and encouraged countries that contributed troops to the Mission, namely South Africa, Sudan and Tanzania, to keep up their support.

In addition, the PSC has appealed to the AU partners involved in the reconciliation process in the Comoros—the UN, League of Arab States, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Indian Ocean Commission and European Union—and the rest of the international community to continue supporting the efforts of the AU aimed at resolving the Comorian crisis.

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