Comoros' Presidential Frontrunner Wishes Stronger Ties with China
2006-05-14 22:57:46
Xinhua
Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi, who took a lead in Comoros' primary presidential election, said on Sunday that he would promote relations between China and the Indian Ocean archipelago if he could come to power.
He was casting ballot in a voting station on the Anjouan island.
"China has given Comoros a lot of help since Comoros gained independence in 1975," said the former parliamentarian, who won nearly 24 percent of the votes in the primary election held on Anjouan island on April 16.
He was followed by National Assembly Vice President Mohamed Djanfari and former prime minister Abderemane Ibrahim Halidi, who gained 13 percent and 10 percent of the votes respectively.
Comorans agreed in 2001, following an elaborate reconciliation, to share power between a national government and the trio of islands -- Grande-Comore, Anjouan and Moheli. Each island gets the federal presidency every four years.
Incumbent President Azali Assoumani comes from Grande-Comore, therefore it is now Anjouan's turn. Moheli, the smallest island of the Union of Comoros, is due to take presidency in 2010.
Comoros is located in the Indian Ocean between northwestern Madagascar and the east African coast.
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Producer: Li Yongjing