Ruling Party Triumphs in Comoros, Sparks Opposition Outcry

Ericson Mangoli By Ericson Mangoli
4 Min Read
Azali Assoumani (C), speaks to the media after casting his ballot at the Mitsudje public school polling station in Moroni on January 14, 2024. Azali Assoumani (C), speaks to the media after casting his ballot at the Mitsudje public school polling station in Moroni on January 14, 2024. OLYMPIA DE MAISMONT / AFP

In a significant political event for the Comoros, the ruling party achieved a decisive victory in the recent parliamentary elections, as announced by the Independent National Election Commission (CENI).

The results revealed that the ruling party secured 28 out of the 33 parliamentary seats contested in the elections held on Sunday.

This overwhelming win extends the party’s hold on power, given that they previously controlled 22 of the 24 seats in the outgoing parliament prior to a 2023 legal expansion.

Opposition Boycotts and Allegations of Fraud

In stark contrast to the ruling party’s success, the opposition’s response has been one of vehement rejection and protest. The main opposition group, the Juwa party, opted to boycott the elections entirely, citing concerns over electoral transparency.

Juwa Secretary General Hassane Ahmed el-Barwane characterized the exercise as a “farce,” stating, “The boycotting of the electoral masquerade by Comorians has exposed the electoral fraud and ballot stuffing in broad daylight.”

For those opposition members who participated, the situation was no less fraught. Abdallah Mohamed, representing the dissenting parties, alleged that the election was plagued by serious irregularities, including the unwarranted expulsion of their representatives from polling stations.

Mohamed asserted, “Our representatives who opposed ballot stuffing were expelled from the polling stations,” further emphasizing the claims of electoral misconduct.

Government’s Response 

In the face of these allegations, Elections Minister Fakridine Mahamoud firmly dismissed the opposition’s claims, asserting that if they believed they had been wronged, they should pursue legal channels to provide evidence of their accusations.

His stance is indicative of the government’s continuing narrative of maintaining a transparent and just electoral process.

President Azali Assoumani also weighed in shortly after casting his own vote, calling the allegations of fraud unfounded.

Under his administration, dissenters have criticized Assoumani for exhibiting authoritarian tendencies and suggested fears that he is orchestrating a succession plan for his eldest son, Nour El-Fath, ahead of his term’s expiration in 2029.

A Background of Turbulence

Ruling Party Triumphs in Comoros, Sparks Opposition Outcry
Voters in Comoros head to polls to elect 33-seat parliament Comoros President Azali Assoumani speaks next to Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola as Italy hosts an Italy-Africa summit, in Rome, Italy January 29, 2024. REUTERS

The political landscape in the Comoros has been tumultuous, characterized by instability and a series of attempted coups since the archipelago gained independence from France in 1975.

With a modest population of around 800,000, the island nation has faced significant political challenges that have ushered in cycles of unrest and changes in power.

As the ruling party celebrates its victory, the ongoing outcry from the opposition highlights the deep divisions and mistrust between the government and its critics.

The aftermath of these elections remains to be seen, as the political atmosphere in the Comoros continues to evolve against a backdrop of historical turbulence and grappling for democratic integrity.

 

Share This Article
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *