Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
COMMUNIQUE
The Ministerial meeting of the countries of the Region and the OAU Troika on the situation in the Comoros took place in Pretoria, South Africa, on 28 January 1999. The meeting was chaired by H.E.Dr.Salim Ahmed Salim, Secretary General of the OAU. Participating were the Foreign Ministers of South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles, the Minister in charge of Cooperation of Algeria as well as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso was represented by its Permanent Representative to the OAU.
The Delegation of the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros was led by the Prime Minister, H.E.Mr.Abbas Djoussof and included the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
The Ministers reviewed the prevailing situation in the Islamic Federal Republic of the Comoros, particularly, developments in Anjouan. At the end of their deliberations the Ministers:
1. Reiterated OAU's unflinching commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of the Comoros and to securing a lasting resolution of the crisis.
2. Expressed concern over the unfortunate developments that took place in Anjouan from 5 to 13 December 1998 and which caused the loss of lives, destruction of property and the displacement of the population.
3. Expressed concern over the continuing state of insecurity in Anjouan, the presence of armed militias and the current confusion which prevails in the Island, in spite of the truce currently being observed by the factions.
4. Agreed on the need for the urgent convening of the Comorian inter-Island conference as the most appropriate forum to find a peaceful solution to the crisis and to set up a new Institutional framework for the country, which respects the unity and territorial integrity of the Comoros and which takes into account the legitimate aspirations of the Islands and all the people of the Comoros. It is proposed that such a conference be convened in March, 1999 and on a date to be announced by the OAU Secretary General after consultations with all the Parties concerned and stakeholders.
5. Further agreed that the Comorian inter-Island conference should be followed immediately by the convening in Mauritius of the Round Table of donors on the Comoros, to address the socio-economic problems of the Archipelago.
6. Decided that in order to adequately prepare for these conferences, including in particular, the need to create a conducive environment for fruitful negotiations, there is need to find solutions to the insecurity currently prevailing in Anjouan. This will pave the way for an effective and credible participation of the representatives of the islands, especially Anjouan in the proposed inter-island conference.
7. Decided, in pursuance of this objective, on the dispatch of an assessment mission of Senior officials from South Africa, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania as well as the OAU General Secretariat, to undertake an on-the-spot evaluation of the prevailing situation on the ground and to engage the Government of the Comoros and the Anjouanese as well as other parties concerned, on what needs to be done to prepare for the Comorian inter-island conference.
8. Recommended that in the event the security situation continued to deteriorate in Anjouan, or the planned mission received no cooperation from all concerned, the Leaders of the Region, should consider the adoption of all possible security measures to deal with the situation.
9. Agreed in the meantime, on the urgent need for the convening of a meeting of Military and security officials from the Region, to review the situation in all its ramifications and to make appropriate recommendations to the Leaders of the Region. To this end, they requested the Secretary General of the OAU to facilitate the convening of such a meeting.
10. Expressed their appreciation to the Interim President of the Republic and the Government of the Comoros for the encouraging steps they have taken in order to establish the conditions conducive to a peaceful solution to the crisis.
11. Appealed to the population of Anjouan and to their leaders to exercise restraint and commit themselves to the establishment of the necessary security and political conditions for the convening of the Comorian Inter-Island Conference.
12. Appealed to the international community, particularly those in a position to help, to support the efforts of the OAU and the countries of the Region, which efforts are aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the crisis to the Comoros and to refrain from any action that can undermine these efforts.
The participants at the meeting expressed their appreciation to the Government of South Africa for all the efforts made in its capacity as Coordinator of the Regional efforts and for all the excellent facilities placed at the disposal of the meeting.
Pretoria, 28 January 1999
Issued by The Department of Foreign Affairs on behalf of the OAU.