| dc.description.abstract | The study analyzes conflict in the Union of Comoros and the role that the African Union played in conflict management and resolution. The African Union has conflict management and resolution mechanisms that guide its undertakings. It is further guided by principles and objectives stipulated in its Charter. As per the study, the African Union has been active in managing and resolving conflicts in the Comoros which were caused by the need for self autonomy.
The three main islands; Anjouan, Grand Comore and Moheli showed disparity economically and politically. Anjouan cited lack of equal distribution of international grants by the Central Government. This resulted in the need for secession byAnjouan in 1997. Through negotiations and mediations, the African Union played an active role in managing conflict in the Comoros. The African Union helped resolve the conflict in the Comoros by negotiating between the Central Government and the island of Anjouan which resulted in Agreements like the Antananarivo and Fomboni Agreements. The African Union sent special envoys and helped in facilitating talks between the islands of Anjouan, Moheli and the Central Government. There was recurrence of conflict when Bacar in 2007 refused to step down after his term had come to an end.
The approaches taken included; the use of African Union Electoral and Security Assistance Mission to the Comoros (MAES), negotiations and mediations as well as Operation Democracy. The AU adopted a new mechanism each time partial success was attained .. MAES II was adapted when MAES I failed, Fomboni II Agreement was a development ofFomboni I Agreement, which was then followed by Operation Democracy. The African Union also had to send an observer mission to monitor and ensure that democratic elections were being held. | en_US |
