Leaders of a secessionist movement in the Indian Ocean Comoro Islands have rejected a peace deal which is aimed at bringing to an end two years of political upheaval, news reports said on Thursday. The small island of Anjouan declared independence from the Comorian federation in 1997, which was followed by an unsuccessful government invasion. Violence erupted on the island soon after, as rival separatist groups took up arms against each other. In terms of a peace agreement drawn up in Madagascar in April, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli were to be given greater autonomy from the main island of Grand Comoro. Earlier this month, Anjouan separatist leader Colonel Said Abeid forced his main rival off the island and hardened his secessionists' stance.
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