Comoros: Presidential election to be held March 24 /update 2

Event

Comoros will hold its presidential elections on Saturday, March 24. Heightened security measures, political activity, including rallies and public demonstrations, and associated transportation disruptions are possible up to and shortly after the election. The US Embassy in Moroni advised citizens to anticipate transportation disruptions, including flight cancelations, avoid crowds, and establish evacuation plans, and has suspended nonofficial travel for embassy employees to Anjouan and Moheli, the other two major islands in Comoros.

Context

Current President Azali Assoumani is running for reelection against twelve other candidates. The Supreme Court has rejected the candidacy of opposition leader Mohamed Ali Soilihi, who was regarded as Assoumani's main challenger. Some opposition leaders have accused the courts of blocking all party supported candidates who could threaten Assoumani in the election. There have been more than 20 coups or coup attempts since the country declared independence from France in 1975.

Advice

Individuals in Comoros are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate heightened security measures, public demonstrations, and transportation disruptions, including limited travel off the islands and localized traffic disruptions near any political demonstrations, and avoid all political demonstrations as a precaution.