1997 Anjouan independence referendum

Anjouan independence referendum 26 October 1997 Anjouan 1997 135,116 439 3,444 146,593 An independence referendum was held on Anjouan, an island in the Comoros, on 26 October 1997.Anjouan (Comoros), 26 October 1997: Independent Direct Democracy de Over 99% of voters voted in favour of independence. However, the vote was not recognised and the island returned to the control of the Comorian government in 2001. Background In July 1997 opposition parties were banned and Anjouan separatist leader Abdallah Ibrahim was arrested. His arrest led to rioting in Mutsamudu, the capital of Anjouan.Tom Lansford (2015) Political Handbook of the World 2015, CQ Press Following the riots, militants from the Anjouan People's Movement took over the island, and declared independence on 3 August 1997. Ibrahim was released from prison and named President. At the same time, the island of Mohéli also declared independence. On 3 October the Comorian army attempted to invade the island, but were repulsed by local troops. A referendum was subsequently called by Ibrahim despite opposition from the Organisation for African Unity and the Arab League.COMORO ISLANDS: Anjouan Leader Plans Referendum On Secession IPS, 13 October 1997 Results 135116 439 3444 146593 Direct Democracy Aftermath Following the referendum, Ibrahim was appointed head of a provision government of island, now renamed Nzwani. In mid-November he agreed to attend peace talks with Comorian president Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim. After the talks fell through, Anjouan voters subsequently approved a draft constitution in a referendum in February 1998. Following another failed attempt to reach agreement in 1999,Comoros profile BBC News agreement was reached between the Comorian government and the Anjouan separatists in 2001 to progress with a national referendum on a new federal constitution. This was approved by 76% of voters nationally, and 95% of voters on Anjouan.Elections in the Comoros https://web.archive.org/web/20160305070824/http://africanelections.tripod.com/km_detail.html#2001_Constitutional_Referendum 2016-03-05 African Elections Database References Category:Referendums in the Comoros Anjouan Category:Anjouan Anjouan Anjouan Anjouan