Coup attempt on Moheli

A group of unidentified soldiers took control of parts of the Comoran island of Moheli on Wednesday, news and diplomatic sources said. According to the reports, the group including 12 to 20 white people disembarked on Moheli, the smallest island of the troubled Indian Ocean archipelago, and "neutralised" the gendarmerie and the police. Electricity has apparently been turned off on the island and the telephone lines cut. However, diplomatic sources told IRIN that the authorities on the main island of Grande Comore had radio contact with the army in Moheli and were "preparing a response". The invaders, who have not been identified, reportedly distributed pamphlets written in English linking Comoros leader Colonel Azali Assoumani with the terrorist Al Qaeda network, and asking the population to remain calm. They also asked to negotiate with the military commander on the island. Some of the assailants reportedly spoke English and rumours immediately claimed that they were Americans hunting for Osama bin Laden cells. But more reliable sources said they spoke French. Their demands are as yet unknown, but their action has been interpreted as another Comoran coup attempt aimed at disrupting a referendum due on 23 December to approve a new constitution and end the archipelago's secessionist crisis. Comoros has endured more than 20 coups or attempted coups since independence from France in 1975. There has also been a history of mercenary intervention, led on three occasions by French national Colonel Bob Denard. For an IRIN background briefing on the Comoros crisis see www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=13397&SelectRegion=Southern_Africa&SelectCountry=COMOROS