Comoros Ruling Party Secures Majority in Parliamentary Elections

Comoros’ ruling party, the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros, won 28 of 33 parliamentary seats in a recent election, cementing President Azali Assoumani’s majority. The election was boycotted by opposition parties citing fraud, and results await Supreme Court confirmation.

The ruling party in Comoros, the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC), has secured 28 out of the 33 available parliamentary seats in the recent elections, as announced by the electoral commission on Tuesday. This victory ensures that President Azali Assoumani’s party continues to hold a majority in the archipelago. However, the election faced scrutiny as several opposition parties boycotted the vote, raising concerns about potential electoral fraud. The election results are pending confirmation by the Supreme Court. President Assoumani, having initially assumed power through a military coup in 1999, had previously stepped down in 2006 before returning to power in 2016. He has notably amended the constitution to extend his hold on the presidency, circumventing previously established term limits.

The Comoros archipelago consists of three islands situated off the eastern coast of Africa, close to Madagascar. Since gaining independence from France in 1975, the nation has experienced numerous military coups, significantly impacting its political landscape. Azali Assoumani, a former military officer, originally took control by ousting the sitting president. His tenure has been marked by claims of electoral improprieties and constitutional changes that have allowed him to maintain power beyond the usual democratic constraints, leading to ongoing tensions between the ruling party and opposition factions.

In conclusion, the ruling Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros party’s substantial gain in parliamentary seats reinforces President Assoumani’s grip on power amidst allegations of election manipulation and opposition boycotts. The political situation in Comoros remains precarious, with calls for scrutiny of the electoral process and potential challenges to Assoumani’s authority as his presidency continues to draw both support and criticism.

Original Source: www.seattletimes.com