VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAN #0087/01 0400604
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 090604Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2047
INFO RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 0088
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0465
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1062

UNCLAS ANTANANARIVO 000087 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E, AF/FO, AF/RSA, AND AF/PDPA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID ECON ETRD CN
SUBJECT:  Comoros Reestablishes Links To Swahili Coast 
 
¶1. (U)  SUMMARY:  After decades of instability and post-colonial 
focus on France, the Union of the Comoros is rediscovering historic 
links to the Swahili Coast of Africa.  In partnership with 
Tanzania's Board of External Trade, the Comoran Chamber of Commerce 
will soon open an office in Dar es Salaam to improve and formalize 
trade ties.  On a political level, President Sambi remains grateful 
for Tanzania's role in resolving the Anjouan crisis.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Common Arab-Swahili History 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶2. (U)  Over centuries of modern history, Comoros' moderate Muslim 
culture evolved with close links to the east coast of Africa, 
emerging similar to coastal communities in Kenya and Tanzania, in 
particular Zanzibar.  Comoran language is closest to Swahili and 
also shares its Arabic elements.  Comorans even note the shared 
ancestry with Kenya, "sharing" credit for President Obama's African 
heritage with the tongue-in-cheek suggestion that members of his 
Kenyan grandmother could have come from the Comoros.  The twentieth 
century French colonial and post-colonial period redirected Comoran 
economics and culture toward France -- 200,000 Comorans now live 
there -- at the expense of cutting the Comoros off from its region. 
 
 
¶3. (U)  Comoran traders and elites interested in establishing a 
sustainable economy for their country believe close ties with their 
neighbors to the west are essential.  The Comoros is isolated in 
general, has strong ties to France that only benefit part of the 
population, and trades less and less with francophone Madagascar, 
where red tape and poor transportation links stifle trade.  Comoran 
traders supply the domestic market with imported goods, paid with 
tens of millions of dollars in remittances from France.  In recent 
years, the trend is to import more from Tanzania and Kenya. 
 
Comoros Trade Office In Tanzania 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶4.  (U)  Fahmy Thabit of the Comoros Chamber of Commerce, told 
Comoros Officer an office would be established at "Exposition Park" 
in Dar es Salaam to facilitate and formalize bilateral trade.  The 
establishment in 2008 of the Tanzanian Ex-Im Bank in the Comoros, 
including MoneyGram service, offers a more efficient payment system 
for trade.  Working in partnership with the Tanzanian Board of 
External Trade, Thabit described an ambitious agenda to support 
traders, expedite customs clearance, and improve transport links. 
At present, the Comoros (COMESA) and Tanzania (SADC) do not have 
efficient mechanisms in place to simplify and reduce the cost of 
trade.  According to Thabit, the GOT said they do not have data on 
the value of trade with Comoros which is dominated by informal 
shipments on five bulk cargo vessels moving between the two 
countries.  One published estimate reported Comoros-bound Tanzanian 
exports (by weight) grew over 60 percent to 500,000 tons in 2008 
over the previous year. 
 
¶5. (U)  Thabit elaborated that it is "natural" for the Comoros to 
reestablish links with the Swahili coast based on centuries of 
history.  The Comoran Chamber of Commerce plans investment, health, 
and cultural exchanges with Tanzania and Kenya.  Finding France, 
Mayotte, and Reunion expensive or inaccessible, many Comorans travel 
to Tanzania for medical treatment.  Said Mchangama, President of the 
Mayor's Association of Grande Comore, emphasized that links to 
Tanzania are essential for poor Comorans to relearn basic skills to 
generate grassroots economic subsistence.  According to Thabit, the 
Comoros will benefit from the relatively sophisticated Tanzanians 
and Kenyans for training and support in artisan industries, fishing 
and agriculture.  While trade is one-way now, the Comorans hope 
African investors may establish operations here to export to their 
markets.  With Comoros nascent relationship with Gulf investors from 
Kuwait and Dubai, the Chamber hopes to take advantage of regional 
trade and tourism opportunities. 
 
Strong Bilateral Ties 
- - - - - - - - - - - 
 
¶6. (U)  In late 2008, President Sambi addressed the Tanzanian 
Parliament to express his gratitude for Tanzania's leadership in the 
African Union military intervention in Anjouan to restore order and 
depose Colonel Bacar.  A Tanzanian delegation in Moroni in late-2008 
told the Ambassador they intended to open a diplomatic mission in 
Moroni, but did not offer a timeline.  Growing numbers of young 
Comorans are studying in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, finding 
relatively affordable opportunities in higher education close to 
home.  Both Comoran Union officials and private sector operators 
have told us of the start of talks with the Tanzanian counterparts 
to address the threat of illegal trafficking between their 
countries, reportedly in drugs, illicit timber and possibly arms. 
 
COMMENT 
- - - - 
 
¶7. (U)  Comoros history of political instability exacerbated its 
isolation in the east African region.  The Embassy's top objective 
is political stability so that Comoros can become a responsible 
country in the region in terms of security and economic development. 
 Renewed links to the Swahili Coast are positive and pragmatic signs 
for Comoros' near term prospects.  END SUMMARY. 
 
MARQUARDT