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Invasion d'Anjouan en 2008
Situation d'Anjouan au sein de l'archipel des Comores.
Informations générales
Date	25 mars 2008
Lieu	Anjouan, Comores
Issue
Belligérants
Comores Union africaine:  Soudan  Tanzanie  Sénégal  Libye (appui logistique)  France (appui logistique)	Forces de la gendarmerie d’Anjouan
Commandants
A.A. Sambi	Mohamed Bacar
Forces en présence
~2000[1]	~500[1]

L'invasion d'Anjouan de 2008 aussi connue sous le nom de code Opération « Démocratie aux Comores » est une opération militaire amphibieconduite par les Comores appuyée militairement par l'Union africaine et plus particulièrement par le Soudan, la Tanzanie et le Sénégal et logistiquement par la Libye et la France visant à renverser Mohamed Bacar le président d'Anjouan, une île faisant partie des Comores, et dont l'autorité n'est reconnue ni par la République des Comores ni par l'UA.

[modifier] Contexte

Articles détaillés : Histoire des Comores (pays) et Histoire des Comores.

Les Comores sont depuis leur indépendance en 1975 Frappées d'une d'instabilité politique chronique s'étant traduite par de multiples coups d'État et interventions à partir de l'étranger. L'île d'Anjouan cruciale pour l'économie du pays car disposant du seul port en eaux profondes des Comores constitue l'un des foyers d'instabilité du pays, elle a ainsi connu une crise sécessionniste en 1997 quand certains habitants ont violemment réclamé l'indépendance de l'île voir son rattachement à la France^[2]. Depuis 2002, Mohamed Bacar, officier de l'armée des Comores de facto aux commandes d'Anjouan suite à un coup d'État le 9 août 2001^[3] avait négocié avec le pouvoir central l'établissement d'une nouvelle constitution octroyant un statut d'autonomie aux différentes îles du pays et suite à l'organisation d'élections locales le 31 mars 2002 était devenu président de l'île^[3] qu'il dirigeait d'une main de fer. La campagne électorale visant à le reconduire au poste de président a été selon l'union des Comores et l'Union africaine entachée d'irrégularité, elles ont donc décidé de ne pas reconnaitre la légalité du scrutin ayant eut lieu le 10 juin 2007 qui se sont traduites par une victoires de Bacar qui a obtenu 90% des votes^[4]. Bacar a par ailleurs été accusé de s'être livré tout au long de sa présence à la tête d'Anjouan à de nombreuses exactions contre la population civile qui auraient causé la fuite de nombreux anjouanais vers Mayotte, île de l'archipel situé en territoire français^[5].

Comorian federal troops tried unsuccessfully to take control of Anjouan buildings and install a replacement president as mandated by a court in May 2007. Several soldiers died in those clashes.^[6] The Union government delayed the holding of an election on Anjouan due to alleged irregularities and intimidation, but Bacar nevertheless printed ballots and held an election in June, claiming a landslide victory of 90 percent.^[7]

In October 2007, the African Union imposed travel sanctions on Anjouan's President Mohamed Bacar and other government officials and froze their foreign assets while calling for fresh elections. Additionally, a naval blockade of the island was implemented.^[8] In February 2008, the Comoros rejected the African Union's extended sanctions against Anjouan and instead opted for a military solution.

[modifier] Military build-up

In March 2008, hundreds of Union government troops began assembling on Moheli, which is closer to Anjouan than the larger island Grand Comore. Sudan and Senegal were expected to provide a total of 750 troops, while Libya has offered logistical support for the operation. In addition, 500 Tanzanian troops were due to arrive soon after.^[9][10] France, the former colonial power, has also assisted the operation by airlifting AU troops to the area.^[11]

Vows of resistance from the self-declared president of Anjouan have been met with stern words from the African Union envoy, saying "He will be overwhelmed...I am afraid to say that if he tries to do that, it will be the end of him physically, if necessary."^[9] In an interview with IRIN, Mohamed Bacar dismissed the threat of armed Union forces landing on Anjouan. "[National president Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed] Sambi does not know anything concerning the military, but if I had to advise him I would say that it's not the solution. The first time [1997] the army came we kicked them out. The second time May 2007 the army came we kicked them out. That means that if they try to come a third time we will kick them out."

Anjouan promised to hold new elections in May 2008, which South African president Thabo Mbeki supports as a way to resolve the crisis. Mbeki once more tried to stop the invasion on March 14, but the AU disregarded his proposal and the invasion went ahead.^[12]

[modifier] Pre-invasion incidents

On March 3, 2008 a fuel ship supplying the Comoros army caught fire in the port of Comoros' capital Moroni. The cause of the fire was unknown.^[13] On March 11, an armed incursion occurred on the islands where three members of the Anjouan Militia loyal to President Bacar were captured and taken to Mohéli for interrogation.^[10]

A fishing boat with around 50 soldiers left Moheli for Anjouan on March 14. Two soldiers were wounded, a federal source said. "The target of the operation was the Domoni police station in Anjouan so as to free political prisoners," said the source.^[12][14]

A French police helicopter crashed on Anjouan during an unauthorised flight on March 19, officials in Comoros said, adding that no-one was hurt in the crash. The helicopter was owned by France's Mayotte-based air and border police force.^[15] Critics allege the helicopter was involved in an attempt to bring Bacar into French exile, and that Bacar is only holding out so long because he is protected by the French.^[16]

[modifier] The invasion

Wikinews propose des actualités concernant « African troops invade rebel-held island of Anjouan ».

On the morning of March 24, 2008, five boats full of AU soldiers left the port of Fomboni, capital of the island of Moheli.^[17][18] Comoros helicopters dropped leaflets on Anjouan, saying a military assault was imminent and telling locals to stay at home, a source close to the military said. "The National Development Army informs all inhabitants that it will be in Anjouan in the coming days or, more likely, the coming hours."^[19]

Modèle:Rquote

About 450 troops landed at dawn March 25, taking the airport and entering the main town, Mutsamudu,^[20] sparking fierce fighting. The first shots were heard around 5am (GMT+3) on the island, in the town of Ouani, near the airport and the presidential residence.^[21] Journalists embedded with the rebels reported that the invaders had "struggled to progress further under the automatic fire of Anjouan forces" and in the afternoon "clashes with heavy artillery continued to shake the town of Ouani."^[22]Modèle:Deadlink The army was reportedly looking for Bacar's hiding place.^[23] Contrary to previous reports that France was against the invasion, France has given its approval and helped to air-lift the AU troops to the island.^[11]

The island's capital, airport, seaport and second city were all overrun by dawn to scenes of jubilation from the local population.^[20] By mid-day, the presidential palace was deserted.^[21] Early reports indicated that the government of Mohamed Bacar had reportedly fled to the interior of the island and were in hiding, however later (as yet) uncorroborated reports from the Comoros government on March 25 stated that Mohamed Bacar had fled the island incognito seeking exile in Mayotte.^[24]

[modifier] References

[modifier] External links

• In pictures: Comoros exercise (BBC News)
• In pictures: Comoros assault (BBC News)