Comoros: Opposition rally in Mutsamudu July 19

Event

Supporters of the opposition Juwa Party, led by former President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, are holding a rally in Mutsamudu (capital of Anjouan island) on Thursday, July 19. Supporters began to gather at 09:00 (local time) in the Missiri Stadium to attend a political rally regarding an upcoming constitutional referendum. Although the rally has been authorized by the local authorities, clashes between participants and security forces cannot be ruled out.

Context

A constitutional referendum on presidential term limits will be held on July 29. The referendum will decide whether to amend the constitution from the current single five-year term to two five-year terms. It will also do away with the current system where the position rotates every five years between the archipelago’s islands of Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli. If the referendum passes, the next presidential election will be held in 2019 instead of 2021. This move is widely regarded as an attempt by current president Azali Assoumani to extend his term, which has angered his opponents.

Advice

Individuals in Comoros are advised to keep abreast of the sociopolitical climate and avoid all protests and political rallies as a precaution.