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Comoros president orders assault | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The federal president of the Comoros islands, Ahmed Sambi, has authorised military force to retake the island of Anjouan from rebels. | |
Mr Sambi said in a TV address Anjouan would be "liberated" in "coming hours or days" if the rebels did not give in. | |
A group of 1,500 African Union troops is supporting the Comoros federal government in its dispute with renegade Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar. | A group of 1,500 African Union troops is supporting the Comoros federal government in its dispute with renegade Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar. |
It refused to recognise the re-election of Mr Bacar in June 2007. | It refused to recognise the re-election of Mr Bacar in June 2007. |
Mr Sambi said on Monday: "I gave the order to the national army to join with the African Union forces to re-establish the republican legality in Anjouan. | |
"In the hours, or the days to come, Anjouan will be liberated by force, or, I dare to hope, the rebels will surrender themselves in order to avoid confrontation." | |
Coup attempts | |
Five boats full of soldiers earlier left a port on the island of Moheli, a diplomat said, ahead of the operation to retake Anjouan. | |
I am still determined to defend Anjouan Anjouan leader Mohamed Bacar In pictures: Comoros exercise | |
Tanzanian and Sudanese forces are on board the boats, alongside Comoran soldiers. | Tanzanian and Sudanese forces are on board the boats, alongside Comoran soldiers. |
Anjouan is reportedly tense but calm. Luggage trolleys are on the airport's runway to prevent any aircraft landing. | |
The island of Moheli is only about 50km from Anjouan. | |
Civilian flights to Anjouan and Moheli have been suspended, by the federal government. | Civilian flights to Anjouan and Moheli have been suspended, by the federal government. |
AU troops took part in a beach-landing exercise on Sunday. | AU troops took part in a beach-landing exercise on Sunday. |
Each of the Comoros federation's three islands has its own president, but Mr Bacar's re-election was declared illegal by the central authorities. | Each of the Comoros federation's three islands has its own president, but Mr Bacar's re-election was declared illegal by the central authorities. |
In an interview on Thursday, he said he would not step down. | In an interview on Thursday, he said he would not step down. |
"I am still determined to defend Anjouan despite my concern that people are ready to come here and fire on the Anjouanese. But I am continuing with my preparations to defend Anjouan," he told AFP news agency. | "I am still determined to defend Anjouan despite my concern that people are ready to come here and fire on the Anjouanese. But I am continuing with my preparations to defend Anjouan," he told AFP news agency. |
He is estimated to have about 300 troops at his disposal. | He is estimated to have about 300 troops at his disposal. |
There have been 19 coup attempts and several secessionist uprisings in the three-island archipelago since independence from France in 1975. | There have been 19 coup attempts and several secessionist uprisings in the three-island archipelago since independence from France in 1975. |