Will Comoros’ Growing Stability Benefit Christians?
In 2006, the Comoro Archipelago underwent a democratic transition in Comoros, and the citizens elected Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi as the President of The Union of Comoros in an election that international observers described as generally free and fair. This was the first peaceful and democratic transfer of power in the country’s history.
In 2008, the Union Army of National Development, with African Union support, launched a successful and bloodless military coup that led to the removal of the former President of Anjouan islan, Mohamed Bacar, who then fled the country. In 2008, Mr. Moussa Toybou was then elected President in a generally free and fair process in 2008.
In November and December 2010, elections were held to decide the new Union President on the archipelago as well as separate governors for each of the three islands. Given the increased legitimacy of the current government, it appears that it will be capable of handling social conflict.
But it appears that the government may not be as prepared for jihadist influences as some of the Comoro citizenry –receiving an Islamic upbringing in the mosques and madrassas of Comoros.