2008 invasion of Anjouan

Military operation in the Comoros islands November 2011 2008 invasion of Anjouan Anjouan invasion-map-en.svg 300px Map of the invasion of Anjouan March 25, 2008 Anjouan, Comoros The Comorian federal government reasserts control over Anjouan 12 15 S 44 25 E type:event_region:FR-TF title,inline Comorian government and African Union victory Flag of the Organization of African Unity (1970–2002); Flag of the African Union (2004–2010).svg African Union Comoros Senegal Sudan Tanzania Logistical support: United StatesHarwood Adam 2008 Comoros Islands: AU troops invade Anjouan African Security Review Wiley 10.1111/j.1467-825X.2008.01627.x https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-825X.2008.01627.x subscription Voice of America AU Troops Begin Assault on Breakaway Comoros Island https://www.voanews.com/a/a-13-2008-03-25-voa11-66809257/374172.html Voice of America VoA News 25 March 2008 France 1974AFP African forces invade rebel Comoros island http://reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MMAH-7D39UC?OpenDocument ReliefWeb March 25, 2008 October 1, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090226053105/http://reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MMAH-7D39UC?OpenDocument February 26, 2009 live mdy-all Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Anjouan 1997 State of Anjouan Comoros A. A. Sambi Anjouan 1997 Mohamed Bacar Flag of the Organization of African Unity (1970–2002); Flag of the African Union (2004–2010).svg 2,000 Comoros 500Comoros: Military action irreversible http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=77290 Integrated Regional Information Networks Africa March 14, 2008 September 30, 2008 http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091012004122/http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=77290 October 12, 2009 live Tanzania 750 Sudan 600 Senegal 150 500 None 3 killed10 injured100 arrestedAhmed Ali Amir Comoros rebel leader flees to French-run island http://www.mg.co.za/article/2008-03-27-comoros-rebel-leader-flees-to-frenchrun-island Mail & Guardian March 27, 2008 March 2, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110813062552/http://mg.co.za/article/2008-03-27-comoros-rebel-leader-flees-to-frenchrun-island August 13, 2011 live mdy-all 11 civilians injuredAFP Bacar has asked for asylum in France France 24 http://www.france24.com/en/20080326-comorian-rebel-leader-bacar-flees-mayotte-comoros-france-24-exclusive&navi=MONDE March 27, 2008 October 1, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080731220425/http://www.france24.com/en/20080326-comorian-rebel-leader-bacar-flees-mayotte-comoros-france-24-exclusive%26navi%3DMONDE July 31, 2008 dead mdy-all The invasion of Anjouan (code-named Operation Democracy in Comoros),Troops head for Comoros island http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A13543B9-B0F6-42E3-B2C6-6F795B72CCDE.htm Al Jazeera March 24, 2008 October 1, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080518075016/http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A13543B9-B0F6-42E3-B2C6-6F795B72CCDE.htm May 18, 2008 live mdy-all Emmanuel Goujon AFP AU troops move towards rebel Comoros island http://www.france24.com/en/20080324-au-troops-move-towards-rebel-comoros-island France 24 March 24, 2008 October 1, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090224233115/http://www.france24.com/en/20080324-au-troops-move-towards-rebel-comoros-island February 24, 2009 dead onMarch 25, 2008, was an amphibious assault led by the Comoros, backed by African Union (AU) forces, including troops from Sudan, Tanzania, Senegal, along with logistical support from Libya, France and the United States. The objective of the invasion was to topple Colonel Mohamed Bacar's leadership in Anjouan, an island in the Union of Comoros, when he refused to step down after a disputed 2007 election, in defiance of the federal government and the AU. The Comoros archipelago in the Indian Ocean has had a fractious history since its independence from France in 1975, experiencing more than 20 coups or attempted coups.2008-05-15 Rebel leader in limbo https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/report/78239/comoros-rebel-leader-limbo 2025-09-19 www.thenewhumanitarian.org enAnti-French protests in Comoros http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7316177.stm BBC March 27, 2008 October 2, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080328234541/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7316177.stm March 28, 2008 live mdy-all The invasion occurred in the early morning of March 25, 2008. The main towns were quickly overrun and the island was declared under the control of the invading forces the same day. Mohamed Bacar managed to escape to Mayotte on March 26 and requested political asylum. He was subsequently held in custody there by the French administration and brought to the island of Réunion. OnMay 15, France rejected Bacar's request for asylum, but the French refugee office ruled that the ousted leader could not be extradited to the Comoros because of the risk of persecution.Comoran rebel asylum plea refused http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7402921.stm BBC News May 15, 2008 October 1, 2008 Background Tensions rise The Comoran federal government delayed the holding of an election on Anjouan due to alleged irregularities and intimidation, but Bacar nevertheless printed ballots and held an election in June, claiming a landslide victory of 90 per cent.Comoros: Military invasion of Anjouan imminent, government warns http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=76514 IRIN Africa January 31, 2008 26 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080331084318/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=76514 March 31, 2008 live mdy-all In July 2007, Bacar declared Anjouan to be independent of the Comoros.PA-X: Peace Agreements Database https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/conflict/18/Anjouan+Crisis+(1997+-+2008) 2023-10-07 www.peaceagreements.org Military build-up In March 2008, hundreds of the Comoran Government troops began assembling on Mohéli, which is closer to Anjouan than the larger island, Grande Comore. Sudan and Senegal provided a total of 750 troops, while Libya offered logistical support for the operation. In addition, 500 Tanzanian troops were due to arrive soon after.AU troops arrive in the Comoros http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7289318.stm BBC News March 11, 2008 12 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080315010429/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7289318.stm March 15, 2008 live mdy Reuters Comoros troops capture fighters on rebel island http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=129050 Polity.org.za March 12, 2008 12 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080313122053/http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=129050 March 13, 2008 dead mdy-all France, the former colonial power, also assisted the operation by airlifting AU troops to the area. Vows of resistance from the self-declared President of Anjouan were met with stern words from the AU envoy, saying "He will be overwhelmed...I am afraid to say that if he tries to do that, it will be the end of him physically, if necessary." In an interview with IRIN, Bacar said: "National President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi does not know anything concerning the military, but if I had to advise him I would say that it's not the solution. The first time 1997 the army came we kicked them out. The second time May 2007 the army came we kicked them out. That means that if they try to come a third time we will kick them out." Anjouan promised to hold new elections in May 2008, which South African President Thabo Mbeki supported as a way to resolve the crisis. Mbeki once more tried to stop the invasion on March 14 but the AU disregarded his proposal and the invasion went ahead.'Deadly clashes' in the Comoros http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7302002.stm BBC News March 13, 2008 18 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080319163123/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7302002.stm March 19, 2008 live mdy Pre-invasion incidents On March 3, 2008, a fuel ship supplying the Comoros Army caught fire in the port of Comoros' capital, Moroni. The cause of the fire was unknown.Reuters Comoros military tanker ship destroyed by fire http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=128308 https://archive.today/20120527024852/http://www.polity.org.za/article.php?a_id=128308 dead May 27, 2012 Polity.org.za March 3, 2008 12 March 2008 On March 11 an armed incursion occurred on the islands where three members of the Anjouan Militia loyal to President Bacar were captured and taken to Mohéli for interrogation. Diplomacy continued with an intervention by South African President Mbeki who attempted to delay the planned AU invasion to the distinct displeasure of the Comorian Government. Comoros anger over chopper crash BBC News March 20, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7306986.stm March 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080323180728/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7306986.stm March 23, 2008 live It is understood that Mbeki spoke to the head of the AU, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, by phone on March 14 to stall the attempt to depose Bacar. Fabricius Peter Carter, Chiara Mbeki intervenes to halt AU invasion Independent Online Independent News & Media March 16, 2008 http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=vn20080316090807474C517053 March 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090225221255/http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=vn20080316090807474C517053 February 25, 2009 live thumb|left|Location of Anjouan in the Comoros Despite Mbeki's attempts to stop the invasion, a fishing boat with soldiers left Moheli for Anjouan onMarch 14. There were conflicting statements from both sides, with Comoran and AU military sources reporting that a fishing boat carrying around fifty soldiers from the Government of Comoros landed in southern Anjouan and attempted to capture a police station. In a later statement, Comoran Chief of Staff Salim Mohamed revised the information and said a reconnaissance team of about 10 soldiers landed on March 14 in the south of Anjouan island and reached the southern town of Domoni. A federal source said that two soldiers were wounded. "The target of the operation was the Domoni police station in Anjouan so as to free political prisoners," said the source.AFP Comoran forces and Anjouan followers clash http://www.france24.com/en/20080315-comoran-forces-anjouan-followers-clash-comoros-france-24-exclusive&navi=MONDE France 24 March 15, 2008 16 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090224232829/http://www.france24.com/en/20080315-comoran-forces-anjouan-followers-clash-comoros-france-24-exclusive%26navi%3DMONDE February 24, 2009 dead mdy-all The troops then retreated back to Mohéli and returned to Anjouan on Sunday 16March to rescue the two wounded soldiers. According to a military source one federal soldier suffered an arm injury and another had a minor foot injury. Clashes erupt between Comorian forces and Anjouan fighters AFP March 15, 2008 http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8jQOYzG0IlUqDELwm1GWN7yH94w March 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080516055231/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g8jQOYzG0IlUqDELwm1GWN7yH94w May 16, 2008 dead mdy-all The same sources reported that during the course of the operation "about twenty people" in Domoni died as a result of the Comoran and AU bombardment of Anjouanais positions. These facts were disputed by the Anjouan administration, which insisted that one of the two Comoran soldiers who had attacked Anjouanais positions in Domoni on March 15 had in fact died and that the police station was not captured. They stated that the Comoran and AU forces had been ambushed by Anjouanais forces during the early stages of their incursion at Domoni and had been forced to withdraw from what was a hopeless situation, Contrary to its republican mission the National Army of Development (Comoran Army) devotes itself to taking innocent citizens as hostages whose only wrong is to be Anjouanese and not Sambist. In addition to the fishermen kidnapped at Marahare and Mromhouli, a second aggression [by] the National Army of Development dissident forces supported by the trawler provided by Iran failed. The elements of the [Anjouanese] Gendarmerie retaliated in self-defence, wounding two of the gangster attackers including one lethally. Comoros-Anjouan-intervention African Press Agency March 17, 2008 http://www.apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=58105 March 25, 2008July 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes France's role in the crisis was brought into question when, on March 19, a French police helicopter on an unauthorised, clandestine mission from the French-administered Comoro island of Mayotte crashed in the sea close to the city of Sima on Anjouan. Reports from officials in the Comoros said that no one was hurt in the crash. The helicopter was owned by France's Mayotte-based air and border police force.Ahmed Ali Amir Comoros says French helicopter crashes on Anjouan http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN941774.html Reuters March 19, 2008 19 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080413021049/http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN941774.html April 13, 2008 dead mdy-all Critics allege the helicopter was involved in an attempt to bring Bacar into French exile, and that Bacar was only holding out so long because he was protected by the French.Comoros anger over chopper crash http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7306986.stm BBC News March 20, 2008 21 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080323180728/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7306986.stm March 23, 2008 live Lieutenant-Colonel Salimou Mohamed Amiri, Comoros Government Spokesman, declared: We don't know what it was doing. You can imagine the rumors. The Government of Comoros did not allow them to come. They were not authorized ... The French said they sent other air and naval assets to pick up the crew. Amir Ahmed Ali Comoros says French helicopter crashes on Anjouan Reuters Africa Reuters Group PLC March 19, 2008 http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN941774.html March 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080413021049/http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN941774.html April 13, 2008 dead mdy-all The French military had already transported about 300 Tanzanian troops and 30 tons of freight to Grand Comore between March 14 and March 16. According to reports a French diplomat said that France was ready to transport Senegalese troops as well, but had not yet done so. The diplomatic source said France remains "favourable" to dialogue but on condition that Bacar accepts the presence of African troops at the port and airport of Anjouan. Army chief: Comoros islands troops in clash with loyalists of renegade Anjouan ruler International Herald Tribune March 18, 2008 http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/18/africa/AF-GEN-Comoros-Attack.php March 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090226031603/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/18/africa/AF-GEN-Comoros-Attack.php February 26, 2009 live mdy-all Invasion On the morning of March 24, 2008, five boats transporting approximately 1,500 AU soldiers left the port of Fomboni, capital of the island of Mohéli. Bacar and his troops vowed to fight until the last man was left standing, with an Anjouan lieutenant stating, "We will fight until we die."Emmanuel Goujon Bacar's troops in Anjouan not to give up until last man standing http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/YSAR-7D3M92?OpenDocument ReliefWeb March 25, 2008 27 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090226052116/http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/YSAR-7D3M92?OpenDocument February 26, 2009 live mdy-all It was reported that the runway at Ouani Airport close to Mutsamudu was blocked with baggage trolleys and the atmosphere was tense as the island braced itself for the impending assault. Before the telephone lines were cut an Anjouan government spokesperson was quoted as saying: "They have decided to kill but we are not afraid. We are well prepared. Our forces are ready and it's going to work!" Amir Ahmed Ali Comoros warns rebel island of attack Canada.com Canwest Publishing Inc March 24, 2008 http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=d7e2ea34-a532-4fe3-aaf7-9d903b3903e6&k=55985 March 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20090226002013/http://www.canada.com/topics/news/world/story.html?id=d7e2ea34-a532-4fe3-aaf7-9d903b3903e6&k=55985 February 26, 2009 dead mdy-all About 450 troops landed on the north side of the Anjouan Bay at dawn on 25March. The first shots were heard around 5 a.m. (GMT+3) on the island, in the town of Ouani, near the airport and the presidential residence.African Union forces seek rebel leader http://www.france24.com/en/20080325-comoros-anjouan-battle-bacar-african-union-first-day&navi=MONDE France 24 March 26, 2008 25 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080415055355/http://www.france24.com/en/20080325-comoros-anjouan-battle-bacar-african-union-first-day%26navi%3DMONDE April 15, 2008 dead mdy-all The combined forces quickly advanced on the town of Ouani to secure the airfield. The BBC reported that the island's capital, airport, seaport, and second city were all overrun by dawn, to scenes of jubilation from the local population. By mid-day, the presidential palace was deserted. But other journalists reported that the AU forces had "struggled to progress further under the automatic fire of Anjouan forces" and in the afternoon "clashes with heavy artillery continued to shake the town of Ouani." The army was reportedly looking for Bacar's hiding place.Jerome Delay Hogg, Jonny Comoros government says it has captured the capital of a rebel-held island Associated Press via LexisNexis March 25, 2008 "Colonel Mohamed Bacar has been spotted in the village of Sadanpoini where he is heading without doubt for a place to flee on board a kwassa (small canoe) towards Mayotte island, it seems, according to various sources, that he is dressed as a woman."Abdourahim Said Bacar, Comoran Government SpokesmanAnjouan leader flees 'dressed as woman' – gov't http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL25646751.html Reuters March 25, 2008 25 March 2008 August 2021 InternetArchiveBot yes After the airport was secured the invasion force apparently split where part of it headed south-west to engage Anjouanais loyalists in the capital, Mutsumudu, and the remainder headed south-east, capturing the port of Bambao M'Sanga and the second city of Domoni without resistance.Battles on Comoros rebel island http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7312031.stm BBC News March 25, 2008 25 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080331010358/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7312031.stm March 31, 2008 live mdy Early reports indicated that the Bacar government had fled to the interior of the island and were in hiding. However, later uncorroborated reports from the Comoros Government on March 25 stated that Bacar had fled the island incognito to seek exile in Mayotte. There was no comment from the Bacar government but the Comoran Government spokesperson said that the invasion troops had been told to look for him and were conducting house to house searches. Amir Ahmed Ali Comoros says its troops have taken Anjouan capital Reuters Africa Reuters Group PLC March 25, 2008 http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnL2586232.html March 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080331031134/http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnL2586232.html March 31, 2008 dead mdy-all Aftermath Bacar managed to escape to Mayotte by speedboat, and reports on March 26 confirmed his presence on the island and stated he had requested political asylum in France.Comoran rebel seeks French asylum http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7315744.stm BBC News March 25, 2008 27 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080328232824/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7315744.stm March 28, 2008 live mdy The Associated Press reported from Paris that France was considering the request for political asylum 0294-8052 France considering granting asylum to deposed Comoros rebel leader Col. Mohamed Bacar The International Herald Tribune July 31, 2008 March 27, 2008 http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/27/news/Comoros.php https://web.archive.org/web/20090226030948/http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/27/news/Comoros.php February 26, 2009 live mdy-all but Comoran leaders and anti-French protesters in Comoros demanded that France return Bacar to the Comoros.Anti-French protests in Comoros BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7316177.stm March 27, 2008 27 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080328234541/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7316177.stm March 28, 2008 live mdy On March 27, Bacar was moved to the French island of Réunion, where he was charged and investigated for illegally entering French territory while carrying weapons, along with 23 of his followers.France flies rebel out of Comoros http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7317896.stm BBC News March 28, 2008 28 March 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080402234207/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7317896.stm April 2, 2008 live mdy The case was rejected for procedural reasons, but Bacar and the 23 others remained in custody.AFP Court dismisses case against Comoros rebel leader via LexisNexis March 29, 2008 By the end of March, several prominent supporters of Bacar had been arrested, including Caabi El-Yachroutu, a former vice-president, Prime Minister, and Interim President of Comoros. Three others were found in hiding near Domoni on March 29, including Mohamed Abdou Mmadi (a former Minister of Transport and spokesman for Bacar), Ibrahim Halidi (a former Prime Minister and advisor to Bacar), and Ahmed Abdallah Sourette (a former President of the Constitutional Court)."Former VP, other Bacar’s allies arrested in Anjouan" https://archive.today/20090302060629/http://apanews.net/apa.php?page=show_article_eng&id_article=59230 March 2, 2009 , African Press Agency, March 30, 2008. On April 5, Bacar was remanded in custody.Comoran rebel remanded in custody BBC News April 5, 2008 April 5, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7331766.stm https://web.archive.org/web/20080410112236/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7331766.stm April 10, 2008 live mdy Comoran President Sambi visited Anjouan in early April, marking his first visit to the island since May 2007. He said that he hoped that separatism in Anjouan would cease with the removal of Bacar from power, and he praised the African leaders who had provided assistance for the invasion."Comoran president gets a hero’s welcome in Anjouan", African Press Agency, April 5, 2008. June 2016 medicmedic Contrary to previous reports that France was against the invasion, France gave its approval and helped to air-lift the African Union troops to the island. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner stressed on April 8 that France had not supported Bacar or provided him with any protection, and that it had fully supported African Union intervention."Comores: Kouchner dément que la France ait "protégé" Bacar" https://web.archive.org/web/20090303230513/http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?reg_id=0&art_cle=44529 March 3, 2009 , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), April 8, 2008. On April 18, Bacar, along with 21 of his close guards, was released from prison and returned to house arrest at the Réunion military airbase.http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L18751203.htm Bertrand Grollier, "France Releases Comoros Rebel, to Stay on Island", Reuters (April 18, 2008 14:50:39) Alertnet.org November 21, 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20090226052110/http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L18751203.htm February 26, 2009 live mdy-all On April 23, it was announced that the French Office of Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Office français de protection des réfugiés et apatrides; OFPRA) had granted asylum to two of Bacar's men and refused asylum for six of them; those whose requests were rejected were to be sent to a third country and not returned to the Comoros due to fears of persecution. OFPRA had yet to rule on the cases of Bacar or his other men."Comores: asile politique en France pour deux hommes du colonel Bacar" https://web.archive.org/web/20090303225707/http://www.jeuneafrique.com/fluxafp/fil_info.asp?art_cle=45135 March 3, 2009 , AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), April 23, 2008 fr. Bacar's asylum request was rejected on May 15. France's Secretary of State for Overseas, Yves Jégo, said France would support the Comoran Government's efforts. "We will continue to act in consultation with the Comoros so that the law can be applied and Colonel Bacar can be tried." Comoran rebel asylum plea refused BBC News May 15, 2008 May 15, 2008 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7402921.stm Presidential elections in Anjouan occurred on June 15 and June 29. The election was won by Moussa Toybou, who defeated Mohamed Djaanfari in the second round. References 30em Further reading Ayangafac Chrysantus 5 March 2008 Situation Critical: The Anjouan Political Crisis https://issafrica.org/research/situation-reports/situation-critical-the-anjouan-political-crisis-chrysantus-ayangafac- https://web.archive.org/web/20220406060945/https://issafrica.org/research/situation-reports/situation-critical-the-anjouan-political-crisis-chrysantus-ayangafac- live 6 April 2022 Institute for Security Studies External links Q660843 African troops invade rebel-held island of Anjouan no no no no no no no no no no Photos: In pictures: Comoros exercise (BBC News) In pictures: Comoros assault (BBC News) Articles Live from the Comoros (France 24) The strangest invasion in history?, Tom Nevin Category:2008 in the Comoros Category:African Union Category:2008 conflicts Anjouan Anjouan Anjouan Anjouan Category:Peacekeeping missions and operations involving the African Union Category:Anjouan Category:Invasions Category:March 2008 in Africa Category:2008 in Africa