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OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMA RUEHMR RUEHPA RUEHRN RUEHTRO
DE RUEHAN #0357/01 1390734
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O 190734Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2439
INFO RUEHZO/AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANTANANARIVO 000357 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E AND AF/FO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM CN
SUBJECT:  Comoros President Pleased With Referendum Win 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Comoros President Sambi received AU S/E Madeira, 
the diplomatic corps, and 10 Libyan elections observers the day 
after his apparently successful constitutional referendum May 17. 
While an official Constitutional Court declaration of the result is 
pending, the President outlined his plans to implement the new 
constitution, streamline governance, and develop the Comoros.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
Sambi, "I Am A Democrat" 
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¶2. (SBU) While still awaiting the Constitutional Court's official 
ruling on the May 17 referendum (a formality), Comoros President 
Sambi received the international community under a tree on his lawn 
at the Beit-Salaam presidential compound.  Clearly pleased with the 
outcome, the President explained he would issue a decree in the 
coming days to promulgate the new constitution and establish a 
commission to implement new legal authorities and create new 
institutional structures. 
 
¶3. (SBU)  In addition to African Union Special Envoy Madeira and 
resident diplomats -- France, South Africa, China, Arab League, UN, 
EU -- 10 Libyan elections observers joined the "celebration."  The 
Libyans, five observers from the Arab League, and two from the AU 
were the only international observers of the referendum; they 
congratulated the President on the peaceful outcome. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Thanking the observers, Sambi stated repeatedly "I am a 
democrat," and noted a recent world ranking of freedom of expression 
that placed Comoros 100 of 170, but "number one in the 'Arab' world, 
ahead of Kuwait."  The President said the referendum was a mandate 
from the Comoran people to "change this country."  Speaking, it 
seemed, more to the Arabs in attendance than the westerners, Sambi 
explained now he had the necessary authority to develop the Comoros 
into a prosperous Muslim and Arab country; if "you will finance 
it." 
 
International Community Shift 
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¶5. (SBU) The Libyan and Arab League delegations were eager to affirm 
the May 17 referendum they observed was proper and without incident 
or disruption.  They "confirmed" official reports of over 40 percent 
participation and 90 percent for "yes."  Concerned about procedure 
and controversy, France, the European Union, and La Francophonie 
(and U.S. Comoros Officer) chose not to participate as observers. 
The celebratory mood a Beit-Salaam was shared by the Arab 
delegations, while the rest of us asked questions about the future 
and about legislative elections.  Comoros Officer took the 
opportunity to underline to President Sambi the continued importance 
of peaceful reconciliation in the Comoros as he moved forward. 
 
¶6. (SBU) While AU S/E Madeira remains the "head" of the 
international community, influence (and favor) has clearly shifted 
away from the South Africans and western diplomats (and especially 
La Francophonie, who bemoan the "destruction" of what they created 
10 years ago in the Comoros).  In their place, the Arab League 
appears as the favored partner, having recently pledged USD 24 
million to the Comoros.  Libya's observer delegation signals 
continued interest, continuing their long-term links to the Comoros 
and political support for President Sambi when they financed the 
2008 military action in Anjouan. 
 
¶7. (SBU) (Note:  The Libyan delegation leader spoke to President 
Sambi in Arabic; a colleague translated for the benefit of the 
Francophone diplomats present.  To assure his Libyan brothers he 
spoke their language fluently and the translation to French was not 
for his benefit, he quickly spoke for 10 minutes in Arabic and after 
the meeting broke up mingled with the visitors conversing in their 
language.  End Note). 
 
Next Steps... 
- - - - - - - 
 
¶8. (SBU)  In general, the new constitution concentrates power in the 
Union Government more than at any time since independence in 1975. 
Island "presidents" are renamed "governors," their "ministers" 
become "counselors" (maximum six per island) and their authority is 
specifically limited.  The President obtains the power to dissolve 
the National Assembly (which does not currently exist, the 
Constitutional Court having ruled its mandate ended in April).  The 
island parliaments are renamed "councils" and the "laws" they pass 
will carry less force.  Islam is officially the "state religion." 
All mandates, executive and legislative, are now five years, 
facilitating an eventual harmonization of elections to be held on 
the same date.  This also paves the way for Sambi to remain in power 
until 2011, and many still think he will seek a way to stay in 
office beyond then.  A third Vice Presidency has been established, 
one for each island (President Sambi will have to name an Anjouanese 
to this post) to implement Union authority on his home island. 
 
ANTANANARI 00000357  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
¶9. (SBU) President Sambi reiterated his desire to hold legislative 
elections soonest, but insisting the Comoros could not possibly do 
so without financing from donors.  (Note:  AU, EU, French, and UN 
representatives are all considering this request.  End Note). 
 
COMMENT: 
- - - - - 
 
¶10. (SBU)  In the absence of unbiased polling officials (opposition 
and civil society stayed away) there is no way to confirm the 
turnout; under 20 percent is a safe estimate.  No doubt the 90 
percent 'yes' vote is close to true, as the opposition urged 
supporters to boycott rather than vote no, which they did to a 
degree.  END COMMENT. 
 
MARQUARDT