CRI NEWS

Comorian Leaders Sign Power-Sharing Deal

2003-12-21 12:59:13 CRIENGLISH.com

Comoros leaders and representatives of its semi-autonomous islands Saturday signed a deal on a power-sharing formula in the capital city of Moroni. This has paved the way for postponed elections in the Indian Ocean nation. Here is CRI's southern African correspondent Xiaohong with the details.

Xiaohong: The power-sharing accord was signed at the end of a regional summit, chaired by South African President Thabo Mbeki. The meeting was aimed at resolving a political crisis that has dogged the islands since 1997.

The deal provides for an equitable distribution of tax and customs revenue among the islands and gives control of the army to the union government, leaving command of the police to the autonomous islands. This means the central government is left in charge only of affairs of religion and nationality, as well as currency, foreign and defense policies.

South African officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that representatives from the Comorian parties have committed themselves to holding legislative elections of the union and the islands within four to six months.

The deal signed on Saturday was provided for in a protocol signed in Pretoria last August between the union and the state's three semi-autonomous islands: Grande Comoro, Anjouan and Moheli.

Anjouran sparked a constitutional crisis in 1997 when it unilaterally announced independence from the union, a move that went unrecognized by the international community. The rift was partially healed in 2001 when a new constitution devolved many powers from the central government to the three islands.

South African President Mbeki hailed the signing of the agreement, saying it will guarantee the transition period. He is very optimistic and believes that his next visit to the island country will be attending the opening of the elected assembly.

Xiaohong, CRI News, Harare, Zimbabwe.

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