By Enyichukwu Enemanna
President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani has taken oath of office for a fourth term in office despite disputed polls, promising to work for peace and rapidly grow the country’s economy.
Assoumani first came to power through a coup in 1999. He stepped down in 2002 and then won elections 14 years later.
“Disputes after the elections are not a Commorian exception. I thank the Commorians for the renewed trust, I will not disappoint you,” Assoumani, wearing a green and yellow sash, said at a ceremony in a stadium in the capital Moroni on Sunday.
“After this inauguration, I invite civil society, the opposition and all political actors to put aside differences in favour of peace and democracy,” said the former army officer, adding he would grow the economy at 5% per year.
A 2018 constitutional amendment removed a mandatory rotational presidency among the country’s three main islands every five years, allowing Assoumani to seek re-election in 2019.
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With a population of about 800,000, Comoros has experienced nearly 20 coups or attempted coups since winning independence from France in 1975 and is a major source of irregular migration to the nearby French island of Mayotte.
The January election that ushered him to power for fourth term has received widespread criticism, with opposition alleging that it was rigged to favour President Assoumani.
At least one person was killed and at least 25 injured in violent protests that erupted in the country after the electoral body announced him winner of the election, handing him a fresh five years in office. He polled 63% of the votes.
Opposition leaders claimed the latest presidential poll lacked transparency, alleging instances of ballot stuffing and voting being ended before the official closing time, an allegation government has since denied.
