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Anti-French protests in Comoros | Anti-French protests in Comoros |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in the Comoran capital, Moroni, angry at the escape of an ousted leader. | Hundreds of demonstrators have gathered in the Comoran capital, Moroni, angry at the escape of an ousted leader. |
Crowds chanted anti-French slogans outside France's embassy in Moroni after Colonel Mohammed Bacar fled to the French-run island of Mayotte. | Crowds chanted anti-French slogans outside France's embassy in Moroni after Colonel Mohammed Bacar fled to the French-run island of Mayotte. |
Col Bacar fled the island of Anjouan after government troops and an African Union force invaded the island. | Col Bacar fled the island of Anjouan after government troops and an African Union force invaded the island. |
He has asked France for political asylum, but the Comoran government has asked France to extradite him. | He has asked France for political asylum, but the Comoran government has asked France to extradite him. |
The operation against Col Bacar was launched after he refused to step down as president of Anjouan, and accept the authority of the federal government after a disputed election last year. | The operation against Col Bacar was launched after he refused to step down as president of Anjouan, and accept the authority of the federal government after a disputed election last year. |
The BBC's Jonny Hogg in Moroni says the embassy is being protected by armed Comorian police, keeping the crowd some 200m away. | |
Anyone who appears to be French is being targeted with one group of young men making throat slitting gestures as they march past whilst others threw stones, our reporter says. | |
One government official told the BBC "if France is seen to be protecting Mohamed Bacar, God knows what will happen to their representatives here ''. | |
Amphibious assault | |
The island of Mayotte is the only one of the Comoros islands to have opted to remain French when the other islands gained independence in 1975 - but it remains a source of contention with both countries claiming sovereignty. | The island of Mayotte is the only one of the Comoros islands to have opted to remain French when the other islands gained independence in 1975 - but it remains a source of contention with both countries claiming sovereignty. |
In pictures: Comoros assaultQ&A: Comoros rebellion | |
The BBC's Jonny Hogg says Col Bacar's arrival on the island follows reports last week that he had received backing from individuals on Mayotte during the eight-month political stand-off. | The BBC's Jonny Hogg says Col Bacar's arrival on the island follows reports last week that he had received backing from individuals on Mayotte during the eight-month political stand-off. |
The government in the Comoros has expressed disappointment that he was able to flee to Mayotte. | The government in the Comoros has expressed disappointment that he was able to flee to Mayotte. |
A government spokesman warned that if Col Bacar was not returned to face justice it could cause a diplomatic crisis. | A government spokesman warned that if Col Bacar was not returned to face justice it could cause a diplomatic crisis. |
On Wednesday, the Comoros authorities appointed a new transitional leader for Anjouan - the vice-president of the Comoros, Ikililou Dhoinine. | On Wednesday, the Comoros authorities appointed a new transitional leader for Anjouan - the vice-president of the Comoros, Ikililou Dhoinine. |
"Ikililou Dhoinine will be the political authority in Anjouan until a transitional government is set up," a government spokesman told the AFP news agency. | "Ikililou Dhoinine will be the political authority in Anjouan until a transitional government is set up," a government spokesman told the AFP news agency. |
Mohammed Desara, the Comoran chief of defence staff, said troops were continuing to pursue elements loyal to Col Bacar and secure the island fully. | Mohammed Desara, the Comoran chief of defence staff, said troops were continuing to pursue elements loyal to Col Bacar and secure the island fully. |
It is not known how many people died in the fighting but Mr Desara said it was certain that at least some of Col Bacar's fighters had been killed. | It is not known how many people died in the fighting but Mr Desara said it was certain that at least some of Col Bacar's fighters had been killed. |
About 600 Comoran and AU troops landed in an amphibious assault as dawn broke on Tuesday. | About 600 Comoran and AU troops landed in an amphibious assault as dawn broke on Tuesday. |
Residents of the island were pictured greeting the government forces with jubilation as they patrolled the streets. | Residents of the island were pictured greeting the government forces with jubilation as they patrolled the streets. |
The Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean has had a fractious history since independence from France, experiencing more than 20 coups or attempted coups. | The Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean has had a fractious history since independence from France, experiencing more than 20 coups or attempted coups. |
The three main islands of the archipelago - Grand Comore, Moheli and Anjouan - lie 300km (186 miles) off Africa's east coast, north of Madagascar. | The three main islands of the archipelago - Grand Comore, Moheli and Anjouan - lie 300km (186 miles) off Africa's east coast, north of Madagascar. |