Unity agreement reached

A unity agreement between political leaders on Grande Comoros, Moheli and Anjouan islands formally reinstates the Comoros as one federated entity after three years of secessionist strife on the Indian Ocean archipelago, diplomatic sources told IRIN. OAU mediator Jose Caetao Madeira reportedly said that under the agreement signed in Moheli's capital of Fomboni on Friday, the islands would adopt a new constitution clarifying their relationship with a central government which would be submitted to a referendum before the end of June. "The deal provides a framework for Comorians themselves to meet and determine a new state that would give wide autonomy to each island and maintain national unity," Madeira said.

Under the deal brokered by the OAU and la Francophonie, the community of French-speaking countries, the parties agreed that Grande Comoros military ruler Colonel Azali Assoumani would head a transitional administration. The administration would oversee the establishment of an electoral commission, constitutional commission and a mechanism to collect small arms from militia men. The current regimes in Moroni and Anjouan would remain in place until the June referendum. But its members who want to run for elections, including Azali, would have to resign a week after the results of the referendum are publicised.

A new transition government would then be formed to oversee the installation of the new institutions. Its members would not be allowed to stand for elections. Diplomatic sources told IRIN that although the agreement catered for all parties involved, it should still not be considered a "done deal" and utmost care should be given to its implementation. A committee co-ordinated by the international community is to be set up to implement the agreement.