An independence referendum was held on Anjouan, an island in the Comoros, on 26 October 1997.[1] Over 99% of voters voted in favour of independence. However, the vote was not recognised and the island returned to the control of the Comorian government in 2001.
In July 1997 opposition parties were banned and Anjouan separatist leader Abdallah Ibrahim was arrested. His arrest led to rioting in Mutsamudu, the capital of Anjouan.[2] Following the riots, militants from the Anjouan People's Movement took over the island, and declared independence on 3 August 1997. Ibrahim was released from prison and named President. At the same time, the island of Mohéli also declared independence.[2]
On 3 October the Comorian army attempted to invade the island, but were repulsed by local troops.[3] A referendum was subsequently called by Ibrahim despite opposition from the Organisation for African Unity and the Arab League.[3]
Resultsedit
Choice
Votes
%
For
135,116
99.68
Against
439
0.32
Total
135,555
100.00
Valid votes
135,555
97.52
Invalid/blank votes
3,444
2.48
Total votes
138,999
100.00
Registered voters/turnout
146,593
94.82
Source: Direct Democracy
Aftermathedit
Following the referendum, Ibrahim was appointed head of a provision government of island, now renamed Nzwani. In mid-November he agreed to attend peace talks with Comorian president Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim.[2] After the talks fell through, Anjouan voters subsequently approved a draft constitution in a referendum in February 1998.[2]
Following another failed attempt to reach agreement in 1999,[4] agreement was reached between the Comorian government and the Anjouan separatists in 2001 to progress with a national referendum on a new federal constitution.[2] This was approved by 76% of voters nationally, and 95% of voters on Anjouan.[5]
Referencesedit
^Anjouan (Comoros), 26 October 1997: Independent Direct Democracy (in German)
^ abcdeTom Lansford (2015) Political Handbook of the World 2015, CQ Press
^ abCOMORO ISLANDS: Anjouan Leader Plans Referendum On Secession IPS, 13 October 1997
^Elections in the Comoros African Elections Database
January 01, 1970
1997, anjouan, independence, referendum, independence, referendum, held, anjouan, island, comoros, october, 1997, over, voters, voted, favour, independence, however, vote, recognised, island, returned, control, comorian, government, 2001, anjouan, independence. An independence referendum was held on Anjouan an island in the Comoros on 26 October 1997 1 Over 99 of voters voted in favour of independence However the vote was not recognised and the island returned to the control of the Comorian government in 2001 Anjouan independence referendum26 October 1997ResultsChoice Votes Yes 135 116 99 68 No 439 0 32 Valid votes 135 555 97 52 Invalid or blank votes 3 444 2 48 Total votes 138 999 100 00 Registered voters turnout 146 593 94 82 Contents 1 Background 2 Results 3 Aftermath 4 ReferencesBackground editIn July 1997 opposition parties were banned and Anjouan separatist leader Abdallah Ibrahim was arrested His arrest led to rioting in Mutsamudu the capital of Anjouan 2 Following the riots militants from the Anjouan People s Movement took over the island and declared independence on 3 August 1997 Ibrahim was released from prison and named President At the same time the island of Moheli also declared independence 2 On 3 October the Comorian army attempted to invade the island but were repulsed by local troops 3 A referendum was subsequently called by Ibrahim despite opposition from the Organisation for African Unity and the Arab League 3 Results editChoiceVotes For135 11699 68Against4390 32Total135 555100 00Valid votes135 55597 52Invalid blank votes3 4442 48Total votes138 999100 00Registered voters turnout146 59394 82Source Direct DemocracyAftermath editFollowing the referendum Ibrahim was appointed head of a provision government of island now renamed Nzwani In mid November he agreed to attend peace talks with Comorian president Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim 2 After the talks fell through Anjouan voters subsequently approved a draft constitution in a referendum in February 1998 2 Following another failed attempt to reach agreement in 1999 4 agreement was reached between the Comorian government and the Anjouan separatists in 2001 to progress with a national referendum on a new federal constitution 2 This was approved by 76 of voters nationally and 95 of voters on Anjouan 5 References edit Anjouan Comoros 26 October 1997 Independent Direct Democracy in German a b c d e Tom Lansford 2015 Political Handbook of the World 2015 CQ Press a b COMORO ISLANDS Anjouan Leader Plans Referendum On Secession IPS 13 October 1997 Comoros profile BBC News Elections in the Comoros African Elections Database Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1997 Anjouan independence referendum amp oldid 1205552770, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
