Anjouan

Anjouan, also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani, is an island in the Comoros, it has 424 km² and is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population in 2017 was 327,382 inhabitants.

History

In 1500 the Ndzuwani Sultanate was established, covering the entire island. It came under the protection of France in 1866, being completely annexed to France in 1912 and the sultanate abolished. It joined the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros (now the Union of the Comoros) when it became independent in 1975.

In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Mohéli temporarily declared their independence from Comoros, resulting in violent clashes in which they repelled government troops, causing dozens of deaths. On March 26, 2008, an amphibious assault led by the Army took place. of Comoros backed by African Union forces, which included troops from Sudan, Senegal and Tanzania and logistical support from Libya and France.

Early history

The first traces of human settlement in the Comoros archipelago date back to the Middle Ages, and archaeologists still do not agree on whether the first inhabitants of Anjouan were Malagasy or continental Africans, but in any case, these two populations met and mixed on these islands. Likewise, the arrival of Islam continues to be debated, and is dated, according to experts, between the 7th and 13th centuries.

Around the year 1500, the Ndzuwani Sultanate was founded, covering the entire island and leaving useful archives for historians. From the XVI century, the Comoros archipelago occupied a strategic position on the maritime trade routes that linked Europe with the East, passing through through Africa: European sailors of the time recommended ships heading to India make an Atlantic stopover in Cape Verde in spring and an Indian stopover in the Comoros in September, to take advantage of the monsoon currents; The island of Anjouan was considered the safest for ships, since one of its three coasts was always protected from the wind.

This situation turned Mutsamudu into the main commercial port of the region for several centuries and Anjouan into the richest and most powerful island of the archipelago, which led to unprecedented prosperity that allowed the sultan to extend his ambitions to the other islands. an ambition that never came to fruition and that was frustrated in the east by the pretensions of the Malagasy kings.

The 17th and 18th centuries were a particularly prosperous period for the Comoros, ideally situated on a flourishing trade route between Europe and what became the Omani empire. However, rivalry between sultans meant that the Comoros never became a united country, capable of facing external threats, making this prosperity precarious.

The island, visited mainly by Portuguese sailors, began to be better known in France from the 18th century. Thus, in 1751, the Encyclopedia of Diderot and d'Alembert dedicated a brief note to him: "ANJOUAN or AMIVAN, (Geog. mod.) a fairly small island in Africa, in the Ethiopian Ocean; It is one of those of Comoros or Maiotte, between the island of Madagascar and the coast of Zanguebar.

French colonization

In 1885 the Berlin Conference ended, in which the European colonial powers agreed on the distribution of their mutual influences in the world, and particularly in Africa. France had already owned Mayotte since 1841, as well as several Malagasy trading posts, and French businessmen were already established in Anjouan: the three Comorian islands thus became a French protectorate in 1886. Although Anjouan had long been the The most powerful island in the archipelago, dominion fell to Mayotte, more developed and westernized at the time, and Anjouan found itself in the shadow of Mayotte and Grande Comore, whose agricultural and industrial potential was considered more important. In 1891, a revolt of poor peasants and industrial workers seriously threatened French domination of the island, and the French evacuated it before recovering it at the cost of a military expedition. On July 25, 1912, the islands of the Comoros archipelago, formerly known as 'Mayotte and its dependencies', of which Anjouan was a part, were annexed to the colony of Madagascar. At that time, France created the main infrastructures (roads, ports, administrations, etc.) and established export crops, such as vanilla and ylang-ylang.

With the advance of Malagasy independence in the immediate post-war period, the Comoros archipelago became part of the overseas territory of the Comoros in 1946. Independence movements in turn developed there, supported by the Soviet Union.

Did you mean:

Integración a las Compras

In the referendum of December 22, 1974, Anjouan opted for independence from France (like Moheli and Grande Comore), but unlike Mayotte, it rejected integration into the new Comorian State. In 1974, Anjouans voted 99.5% against maintaining the TOM status of the French Republic (42 votes in favor).

The capital of the Comorian State was established in Moroni, in Grand Comore, completing the marginalization of Anjouan, which in its day was the main local power of the archipelago.

Since independence, the archipelago has suffered many problems and has not managed to find the path to full democracy. It has been the subject of violent coups d'état and rapid takeovers, sometimes supported by mercenaries such as the Frenchman Bob Denard, who was later arrested and convicted by France.

First separatist crisis (1997-2002)

In 1997, the islands of Anjouan and Moheli unilaterally declared their independence from the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros and wanted to join France, but it refused to reincorporate them. This attempted secession led to an embargo by the RFIC and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). While in 1998, under the auspices of the OAU, Moheli again accepted Moroni's authority, Anjouan continued to refuse.

Power on the island passed into the hands of a triumvirate presided over by the foundi ("the master") Abdallah Ibrahim, 80, who did not speak French, Said Abeid Abdérémane, national coordinator, and Mohamed Bacar. The central government then attempted to regain its authority by force, but failed, both militarily and politically. In 1999, Abdallah Ibrahim resigned and handed over power to Abeid, the National Coordinator. On August 9, 2001, Abeid was overthrown by a gendarmerie coup in favor of Bacar.

Bacar then began a long political process of reconciliation with Azali Assoumani after he took power in Grand Comore to create a new entity, the Union of the Comoros, in which the islands enjoy great autonomy. Bacar escaped several coups, including one led by Abeid.

Every year, many Comorians from Anjouan, Grande Comore and Moheli try, with a certain international indifference, to reach Mayotte in improvised boats, the kwassa-kwassa, which causes the death of many shipwrecked: between 100 and 200 each year. This change of opinion among the Comorians is explained by the great misery that their islands are experiencing and by the enviable situation of their small neighbor, Mayotte.

For its part, Mayotte welcomes exiles despite the fact that its population is growing very quickly. Mayotte's population - 190,000 inhabitants at the end of 2007 - is made up of 30% Anjouan refugees. This situation poses serious demographic and social problems that threaten the future and economic stability of the island, where birth control collides with the taboos of a predominantly Muslim population.

In addition, France wanted the reestablishment of civil peace in Anjouan, to facilitate the rapid return of the exiles. The Union of the Comoros remained fragile, but both France and the African Union, as well as the populations of Mayotte and Anjouan, continued to seek a normalization of the situation.

Following the creation of the Union, the islands were reunified with the Comoros in 2002 and a new constitution of the Union of the Comoros mandated the election of a President of Anjouan along with the presidents of the other two autonomous islands and a President of the Union. Bacar was elected to a 5-year term as President of the island of Anjouan. His term expired on April 14, 2007 and the speaker of the assembly, Houmadi Caambi, became acting president from April 15 until he was overthrown by forces loyal to Bacar on May 10.

Peace talks were held between the governments of Comoros and Anjouan in which they agreed to hold free elections in which Mohamed Bacar would run.

Second separatist crisis (2007-2008)

Soldiers loyal to Mohamed Bacar took control of the capital of Anjouan in May 2007. Bacar, who was first named president of Anjouan in 2002, again sought independence for the island.

On June 10, 2007, Mohamed Bacar was re-elected in the first round of the presidential elections in Anjouan. The government of the Union of the Comoros, which had ordered the postponement, considers that the elections were held in the "most absolute illegality" and that are not recognized by the African Union (AU). Only South Africa intervened diplomatically to prevent AU military intervention. After the president of the AU announced on January 31, 2008 his intention to intervene 'without delay to restore the integrity of the Comorian State', Colonel Bacar rejected the proposals of the AU on February 28, 2008. international mediation of exiling or surrendering.

In March 2008, preparations were made for a military intervention by the national army, with the support of forces from several African Union nations (Sudan, Tanzania, Libya, Senegal) and logistical assistance. of France. On March 15, the first operation took place and a report, unconfirmed since, says that several dozen people were killed in the rebellion.

On March 23, 2008, the president of the Comoros announced that he had authorized the country's army, supported by the African Union, to launch an assault on the island of Anjouan. "Last night I gave the order to the national army to join forces with the African Union to restore republican legality in Anjouan," said Ahmed Abdallah Sambi in a speech broadcast live. "In the next few hours or days, Anjouan will be liberated by force or, I hope, the rebels will surrender to avoid a confrontation. The landing took place on March 25, 2008; The capital fell that day and Colonel Bacar fled. After arriving with some soldiers on the island of Mayotte, he requested political asylum from France, which, after studying the case, rejected his request in December. He eventually obtained political asylum in Benin. A year after the conflict, Anjouan soldiers were still detained without trial in Kandani prison.

Government and politics

The Legislative Assembly of the autonomous island of Anjouan has 25 seats.

Colonel Mohamed Bacar was elected in 2002 as president of Anjouan. His reelection in 2007 was challenged and declared illegal by the government of the Comoros. Following the military intervention of the African Union, presidential elections were organized on June 15 and 29, 2008, won by Moussa Toybou, a close collaborator of the president of the Union, Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, against Mohamed Djaanfari, with 52% of the votes. In 2009, the title of president was replaced by that of governor, elected for five years. Since May 23, 2019, the position has been held by Anissi Chamsidine.

Presidents of Anjouan

• Foundi Abdallah Ibrahim (1997-1999)
• Said Abeid (1999-2001)
• Mohamed Bacar (2001-2007)
• Kaambi Houmadi (2007)temporarily)
• Dhoihirou Halidi (2007)during the secession)
• Mohamed Bacar (2007-2008) (during the secession)
• Ikililou Dhoinine (2008)temporarily)
• Lailizamane Abdou Cheik (2008)temporarily)
• Moussa Toybou (since 2008)

Defense

Anjouan invested heavily in its national security under Mohamed Bacar. The main components were the Gendarmerie, commanded by Commander Abdou, Bacar's younger brother. A battalion-sized militia of approximately 500 people backed up the Gendarmerie. Since the eviction of Bacar in March 2008, the local defense forces are led by the Government of the Union of the Comoros.

Geography

The Island of Anjouan has an estimated surface area of 424 square kilometers, making it similar in size to Seychelles, Curacao, or Barbados.

Climate

The island of Anjouan is located in the eastern part of the archipelago and has a tropical climate with alternating seasons and a tendency to humidity. Therefore, rainfall is abundant throughout the year. As for the temperature, it varies between 18 and about 30 degrees throughout the year.

Administrative divisions

The territory of Anjouan Island is divided into municipalities (Law No. 11-006/AU of May 2, 2011, promulgated on July 21, 2011). For administrative purposes, municipalities are grouped into prefectures and are divided as follows:

• Mutsamudu Prefecture, Mutsamudu Capital, 4 communes: Mutsamudu, Mirontsy, Bandrani and Chirokamba, Bandrani and Mtsangani;
• Ouani prefecture, main city: Ouani, 3 municipalities: Ouani, Bazimini, Mbambao Mtrouni (Tsembéhou);
• Domoni Prefecture, main city: Domoni, 5 municipalities: Domoni, Nganzalé, Koni, Mbambao Mtsanga, Jimlimé;
• Mrémani prefecture, main city: Mrémani, 5 municipalities: Adda, Mrémani, Ongojou, Chaouéni, Mramani;
• Sima Prefecture, main city Sima, 3 municipalities: Sima, Vouani, Moya.

Demography

Continental Africans, Creoles, Arabs, Malay-Polynesians, Antelotes and Shirazis make up the population of Anjouan. The main religion is Islam in its Sunni variant. Although the island has a large number of mosques, religious observance is not as strict as in many other countries that observe Islam. There is also a small Christian community, mostly Catholics.

Language

The inhabitants of Anjouan speak Shindzuani, a dialect of Shikomori. Although they share the same grammatical structures, Shindzuani varies greatly from the dialect of the capital island, Shingazija, and linguists have debated whether they should truly be considered the same language. Public schools and government functions are conducted in French, but in everyday life Shindzuani is spoken almost exclusively. Additionally, many Anjouans are quite familiar with Arabic thanks to language classes and reading the Quran from an early age. It is not uncommon for students to attend Quranic school in addition to their normal schooling.

Populated centers

Economy

The island of Anjouan is the main agricultural production area of the archipelago. The main foreign exchange resources are vanilla, ylang-ylang and cloves, the latter two harvested mainly on the island. Fruit and vegetable production is also important and is exported to Mayotte. Some rice is also grown, but not enough to be self-sufficient. On the other hand, the consumption of exotic products (flour, rice, potatoes, etc.) has destabilized production.

The island is home to the deep sea port of Mutsamudu and the fishing school. It has large black sand beaches and very little white sand, so tourism is confidential.

Anjouan is connected by air thanks to the Anjouan-Ouani airfield.

Did you mean:

El hospital regional de Anjouan se encuentra en Hombro, al igual que la residencia oficial del jefe de Estado en la isla.

Tourism

• The citadel of Mutsamudu, the city market
• The mausoleum of President Ahmed Abdallah in Domoni
• Monte Ntringui Park, which includes Lake Dzialandze and Mount Ntringui
• The Sima region, where there are numerous farms that produce the perfume plants that give the Comoros Islands its nickname.
• Tratringa Falls in Bambao Mtrouni and the river of the same name.
• The beach of Moya and the port of the same name as children go down in boxes of soap.
• The Jomani River and Corporal Mangeat at the entrance of Domoni.
• The Tratringua waterfall in Ongoni-Marahani
• The wall of Momoni (uhura wa muji) in Domoni

Banking system

As part of the Union of the Comoros, Anjouan's banking system is regulated by the Central Bank of the Comoros, created in 1981. Anjouan, under the Regulation of Banks and Comparable Establishments of 1999, authorized more than 300 offshore banks. All shell banks and other entities are located abroad and have no permanent presence in the Comoros. Anjouan sold the right to issue banking licenses and delegated most of its authority to operate and regulate the offshore business to private parties not domiciled in the Comoros.

In 2002, following the re-entry of Anjouan into the Union of the Comoros as an autonomous island, the Anjouan Offshore Financial Authority was created to promote the island as a tax haven to attract foreign capital.

In 2005, new laws were passed and all banking licenses issued there before that date were revoked. Those that were able to demonstrate due diligence were re-established by the newly reorganized Offshore Financial Authority, monopolized by Anjouan Corporate Services Limited since 2003, which has claimed authority as registered agent for all International Business Companies and the issuance of banking licenses on the island since that time and authorized directly by the Legislative Assembly of Anjouan.

The company claiming the sale of licenses before 2003 was sued in the High Court of London on behalf of the Government of Anjouan and lost, The High Court of Justice in London confirmed after seeing all the legal documentation that Anjouan Corporate Services Ltd, were legally authorized to operate the offshore business, with the full consent of the Government of Anjouan. All banking licenses are issued as a class B banking license and have one-year terms, which are renewable provided that no complaint has been filed against the bank for violation of anti-money laundering, fraud or anti-money laundering laws. banking.

Environment

Flora and fauna

Anjouan is home to a great diversity of plants, many of which are edible. Cassava, bananas, mangoes, soursop, avocados, oranges, taro and vanilla are abundant on the island.

The Anjou scops owl is a rare owl. The Anjou hawk is a possibly extinct subspecies of the Frances' goshawk. Lemurs are common in the mountainous regions of the island. Two species of lizard, Flexiseps johannae and Paroedura sanctijohannis, are named after the island and are found on it and elsewhere in the Comoros.

Important bird area

BirdLife International has designated a 6,850 hectare Important Bird Area (IBA) covering the island's highlands as it supports populations of Comoro oil pigeons, Comoro blue pigeons, Anjou scops owls, Malagasy harriers, Madagascar warblers, Comoro thrushes, Anjou sunbirds and red-headed fodies.

Threats

One of the main threats to the terrestrial environment today is deforestation: 80% of forests were cut down between 1995 and 2014 and most rivers have dried up. This causes the disappearance of wild species, but also the weakening of the soil (creating landslides and landslides during heavy rains), as well as less water retention in the soil, creating worrying droughts.

The main threat to the marine environment is pollution, since the vast majority of waste (both domestic and industrial) ends up in the sea, which is then dumped and accumulates on beaches, blocking any possibility of tourist development. and increasing the risk of disease due to unsanitary conditions.

Culture

Anjouan is known for the use of the Shiromani, a sheet-like garment that women wrap around their body. The Shiromani is usually red in color, which expresses the color of the island of Anjouan.