November 4, 2001

On November 3 the Anjouan Island (Comoros) secessionists were at it again. A militia spokesman told Western reporters that LTC Said Abeid Abderemane was once again president of Anjou. Abeid was removed from power in Anjouan in August by Major Mohamed Bacar. By November 4, however, reports circulated that the Abeid coup attempt had failed. Bacars troops surrounded the radio station where Abeid was apparently hiding. However, Abeid escaped. Bacar promised the harshest treatment to the coup plotters. Since 1975, when the Comoros Islands gained independence from France, the islands have had 19 coup attempts, of which four were successful. On August 3, 1997, Anjouan unilaterally declared its independence and this hassle continues, with resolutions to end the conflict followed by new revolutions. Reportedly, only one person died in this latest revolt, with four people wounded.