NEWS FROM THE ISLANDS

In 1997, the islands of Mwali and Nzwani both declared themselves independent of the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoro Islands. Since then Mwali has returned to the Republic and, currently, Nzwani is undergoing talks with the Republic. The independence of Nzwani has not been recognized by any nation and pressure has been put on the separatists by the OAU and other members of the international community to negotiate a return to the Federal Islamic Republic. (22 August 2000)

Meeting at Fomboni, on the island of Mwali, the Comorian head of state, Colonel Azali Assoumani and the separatist leader from Nzwani, Said Abeid, signed an accord on August 26 agreeing to the creation of a "Comoran entity" and a tripartite Commission. This Commission, composed of representatives from Nzwani, Mwali, and Ngazidja is to draft the details about the new entity.(28 August 2000)

Click here for a report from the BBC on the March 2000 coup attempt.

Statement of the Comoro Island's representative to the United Nations, 3 October 2001:

MAHMOUD ABOUD expressed his heartfelt condolences to the people of the United States for the terrorist attacks of 11 September. All nations had been shaken by those acts of barbarity, which were designed to hurt all of mankind. He was gratified at the will of the Secretary-General to fight terrorism and fully supported its eradication. International cooperation alone could combat the globalization of terrorism and guarantee success. The coordination of States and within the framework of the United Nations was the most effective and reliagble course ahead. He said prompt objectives must be established and concrete action determined to attack the roots of evil--not a new evil, but one which had reached incomprehensible proportions on 11 September. he noted that the concerns of the past were also part of the picture, including conflicts arising from the diverse problems of under-development. International cooperation must be intensified to meet the challenges of sustainable human development, which included problems of the environment and of education. His country had adopted national measures and ratified instruments against international terrorism. He condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifetations and expressed horror that such acts had taken the lives of so many inocent civilians.

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