Islamist elected Comoros leader
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4772499.stm
A man seen as a moderate Islamist won Sunday's election on the Comoros
Islands, provisional results show.
Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi was seen as the favourite and he won 58%
of the vote, the electoral board said.
Supporters of the cleric, known as "Ayatollah" after his studies in
Iran, were celebrating in the streets as early as Monday, confident of
victory.
The election is intended to herald the first peaceful change of power
in the Comoros in 30 years of independence.
The islands have been plagued by instability and have had 19 coups or
coup attempts.
Following a 2001 constitutional settlement, the presidency rotates
every four years between the three islands of the archipelago.
This time, all three candidates were from the island of Anjouan.
Dancing
Ibrahim Halidi, backed by outgoing President Azali Assoumani got 28%
of the vote, while former military pilot Mohamed Djaanfari gained 14%,
the electoral board said.
During the campaign, Mr Sambi vowed to fight corruption and
unemployment.
"It has to be the Ayatollah, no-one else," said mechanic Miftah Azali,
according to Reuters news agency.
"He's a man of integrity, not a liar like other politicians."
"The Comorans want change and he's the one to do it," said Djoauharia
Said, a trader, as she danced to Mr Sambi's campaign song in the
capital, Moroni, on Monday.
Mr Sambi's opponents have said he is an Islamic extremist but he has
denied this, saying the overwhelmingly Muslim Comoros are not ready to
become an Islamic republic.
He has promised he would not outlaw the famous Comoran lavish wedding
ceremonies or force women to cover their hair.
Mr Azali, from Grand Comore, won the first election in 2002 after
coming to power via a bloodless coup three years earlier.
The African Union has sent hundreds of mainly South African troops to
help ensure a peaceful transition.
Comoran troops have been confined to barracks.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/africa/4772499.stm
Published: 2006/05/16 11:42:48 GMT
© BBC MMVI
--
Michael Gray.
Founding Member and Doorman,
Earthquack's 666 Club.
EAC Trainee Inquisitor of the month (2nd runner up: April)
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
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