Post-election violence erupted as opposition contested President Assoumani’s re-election. 

Presidential election held 14 Jan despite boycott call by some opposition leaders accusing electoral commission of favouring ruling party. Electoral body 16 Jan declared incumbent President Azali Assoumani winner, giving him fourth five-year term. All five opposition candidates immediately cried foul, alleging ballot-stuffing and inconsistent results. Violent protests 17-18 Jan erupted in capital Moroni against Assoumani’s re-election; clashes between demonstrators and security forces left one person dead and at least 25 injured. Interior ministry 17 Jan imposed countrywide night-time curfew. Supreme Court 24 Jan confirmed Assoumani’s re-election.

Opposition continued to reject President Assoumani’s win in March presidential elections and, alongside EU and African Union (AU), called for inclusive dialogue, but govt pursued repression of opposition and media. AU, regional bodies, EU and other international actors reported irregularities in polls, and opposition challenged results at Supreme Court, but latter confirmed results 2 April. Opposition body challenging Assoumani’s rule, National Transitional Council (NTC), welcomed EU and AU backing for inclusive dialogue, calling on international bodies to impose sanctions and nullify results. Govt continued repression; court 6 April said NTC chairperson Mohamed Soilihi, arrested in March, and eight others would be prosecuted for seeking to “destabilise state”. After govt released Soilihi 8 April, he withdrew accusations of election rigging and distanced himself from NTC. In protest at govt’s clampdown on media, private media outlets 2 April declared two-week boycott of govt press conferences and other events.

President Assoumani’s win in disputed presidential elections sparked protests, his attempted ouster by opposition candidates and clash between dissident and loyal security forces raising risk of greater confrontation in April. Assoumani won re-election in disputed presidential poll 24 March with 60.77% of vote; nearest rival Ahamadi Mahamoudou secured 14.62%. Observers including from African Union 25 March said voting process was tainted by many irregularities and lacked credibility or transparency; Supreme Court in Feb had barred six opposition candidates from standing, including main contender. Police 25 March fired tear gas to disperse those demonstrating against result in capital Moroni, leading to some dozen injuries, and briefly detained two opposition candidates. Interior Minister 26 March accused opposition of causing unrest and ordered mayor of Moroni to prohibit public gatherings without prior permission; opposition 26 March announced plans for civil disobedience campaign to demand re-run of vote. Opposition candidates 28 March announced creation of National Transitional Council, led by former army chief of staff Mohamed Soilihi, to take over from Assoumani, “resolve the post-election crisis, [and] ensure a peaceful transition”. Authorities reportedly arrested Soilihi soon after announcement. Same day, group of soldiers, jailed for involvement in attempted coup in 2018, broke out of prison and went to military base near Moroni seeking support; subsequent exchange of fire there between these renegade soldiers and other security forces left three dead, reportedly including leader of dissident soldiers, Major Fayssoil Abdoussalam.

Crackdown on opposition continued. Court 17 Dec sentenced secretary general of opposition Juwa party, Ahmed el-Barwane, to seven years in prison for ordering attack on soldier during July referendum and sentenced another Juwa party MP, Tocha Johar, to twenty years in prison. Court 15 Dec sentenced four senior opposition figures to life in prison with forced labour and handed down jail terms to several others for allegedly plotting against state.

After clashes in Oct between security forces and protesters rejecting results of July referendum that extended presidential terms and stopped rotation of presidency between three main islands, parliament speaker 24 Nov called off vote on President Assoumani’s proposal that he pass laws by presidential decree for three months; 21 of 33 MPs opposed move.

Following controversial July referendum that extended presidential terms and stopped rotation of presidency between three main islands, protesters clashed with security forces, temporarily seizing part of Mutsamudu city, capital of autonomous Anjouan island which had been due to take up presidency in 2021. In Mutsamudu, armed protesters barricaded roads and clashed with soldiers 15 Oct. Some 50 protesters took control of old quarter and held it for six days until military regained control 20 Oct; gunfights between protesters and security forces left at least three dead. Military imposed curfew and cut off water and electricity supply. Rebels have sought asylum in French-controlled Mayotte island. UN and African Union 18 Oct called on govt to resume Inter-Comorian dialogue which was started in Sept but suspended 2 Oct. Govt and opposition Juwa party 20 Oct signed deal including arms amnesty. Police 21 Oct arrested Anjouan governor, who opposed President Assoumani’s measures, and charged him with complicity in anti-govt insurrection and murder.

Govt crackdown on opposition continued following July referendum in which large majority reportedly voted to extend presidential terms and stop rotation of presidency between three main islands. Prosecutors 7 Sept issued international arrest warrant against former VP Jaffar Hassani for plotting against state; Hassani, who opposed referendum, had already left for Tanzania 3 Sept. Military police 10 Sept reportedly arrested army’s deputy chief-of-staff, who also spoke out against reforms.

Following July referendum, in which over 92% reportedly voted in favour of extended presidential terms and stopping rotation of presidency among three main islands, monitoring mission 1 Aug said it had observed voting irregularities. Opposition leaders 2 Aug called referendum “a farce”. President Assoumani 3 Aug announced elections would be held early 2019 and opposition said they would form united electoral front against him. Eight opposition members arrested early Aug and later accused of trying to organise coup. Former President Sambi, under house arrest since May, charged 20 Aug with embezzlement while in office (2006-2011). Assoumani 28 Aug appointed new govt.

In constitutional referendum 30 July, 90% voted in favour of changes that would extend presidential terms and stop rotation of presidency among three main islands. Opposition boycotted vote and observers questioned its legitimacy. In lead-up, govt cracked down on dissent, and general strike held in Moroni on Grande Comore island. State media reported voting largely peaceful; two ballot boxes destroyed and policeman injured in Hankounou district of Moroni. Assailants 22 July attempted to assassinate Vice President Abdou.

Police 22 June arrested leaders of three opposition parties during protest against constitutional referendum scheduled for 30 July. Govt’s proposed constitutional amendments, which would allow President Azali Assoumani to run for second consecutive term, has incited citizens to hold regular anti-govt protests since referendum was announced in late April. Opposition Juwa Party member Ahmed el-Barwane arrested on undisclosed charges 1 June and sentenced to six months in prison.