The Comoros Islands, an archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean, are gearing up for their presidential elections set for January 14, 2024.
The current head of state and African Union President, Azali Assoumani, has announced his intention to stand for re-election. The announcement was made official with a decree issued recently, declaring a second round of elections scheduled for February 25, 2024.
At least 340,000 voters are expected to go to the polls for a presidential election in which six candidates are vying for the top seat.
Here are some of the candidates.
1. Dr Salim Issa
Dr Salim is seen as the opposition’s lead candidate in the upcoming elections. He was a former interior minister and flag-bearer for Juwa, the party of ex-president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, who was in 2022 sentenced to life imprisonment for “high treason.”
In his campaign, he positioned himself as a catalyst for change. His pledge to cut the president’s salary is a direct challenge to the present administration and an appeal to a populace tired of economic strife.
2. Mouigni Baraka Saïd Soilihi
Mohamed Soilihi, is the leader of the Comoros Democratic Rally for Equality. According to an interview with RFI, his priority is to reduce the state’s lifestyle and does not rule out the possibility of shortening his mandate if he is elected.
3. Aboudou Soefo
He was the former Minister of Foreign Affairs and leader of the Tsasi movement. In past media interviews he has stated that his two major priorities in his program, are the fight against the high cost of living and the establishment of social safety nets to alleviate household costs.
4. Daoudou Abdallah Mohammed
Daoudou Abdallah Mohammed is the presidential candidate and leader of the Orange party. He held the portfolio of Minister of Interior from 2016 to 2021.
Comoros Political journey
Until 2018, the three main islands of the Comoros – Anjouan, Grande Comore, and Mohéli, took turns holding the presidency.
This rotation system was overturned by a constitutional referendum in July 2018 that instituted a standard two-round system.
The referendum also allowed the incumbent President Assoumani to run for a second term, which led to violent protests and an armed uprising in Anjouan in October 2018, quelled by the military after several days.
The Indian Ocean archipelago country of 800,000 people last held its presidential elections in 2019 and Assoumani was declared the winner for a five-year term, amid protests from the opposition which alleged irregularities, including barring of independent monitors and pre-ticking ballots.
Opposition electoral demands
Some opposition supporters and leaders have vowed to boycott the poll because the electoral process lacks transparency and have demanded authorities unconditionally release former leader Sambi and all other political prisoners.
The opposition also wants the government to reconstitute the electoral body to guarantee its independence and to bar armed forces from involvement in the electoral process.
