Walter Bruyère-Ostells - Speech on France Culture "Comores: a silent protest
Intervention by Walter Bruyère-Ostells in France Culture's "Cultures Monde" programme.
Summary:
One year after a disputed election that returned Azali Assoumani to the presidency of the Comoros for the third time, the Comorians voted again this weekend to elect their deputies and local representatives. The ballot was boycotted by the opposition, reflecting the fact that political life is locked in.
With :
- Mahmoud IbrahimD. in History from Jussieu University, Paris 7, secondary school teacher and founder of the weekly magazine Masiwa.
- Kamal Saindoufreelance journalist, member of the collectif citoyen de la 3eme voie
- Walter Bruyère-Ostellsprofessor of history at Sciences Po Aix
The President of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, was re-elected for a third consecutive term on 14 January 2024, with 62.57% of the vote. The result was contested by civil society and political opponents, who pointed to the lack of transparency in the election and denounced it as an "electoral masquerade". Although the announcement of the results was followed by an unprecedented social protest, the opposition was quickly muzzled by the regime, which already controlled most of the archipelago's political and security institutions.
A year later, voters were once again called to the polls to elect their deputies and local representatives. However, the ballot aroused little interest among the Comoros people and there was a shortage of candidates, with the opposition deciding to boycott the election. Although political life in the Comoros seems to be particularly tightly controlled, this is not a new phenomenon: for several years now, the Head of State has been working to muzzle the opposition and strengthen his grip on executive and legislative power, through constitutional amendments and nepotistic practices.
Focus: Bob Denard, the quintessence of Françafrique
With Walter Bruyères Ostells, university professor of history at Sciences Po Aix-en-Provence. Author of "Dans l'ombre de Bob Denard, les mercenaires français de 1960 à 1989", published by Editions Nouveau Monde in 2014.
Nicknamed "Viceroy of the Comoros" in the 1980s, French mercenary Bob Denard became known for his decisive role on the archipelago's political scene. On two occasions, he instigated coups d'état and attempted to topple governments with the complicity of France.