Former Comoros Interior Minister Arrested Amid Political Turmoil

Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed, a former interior minister and leader of the Orange opposition, leader, arrest, politically, motivated party in Comoros, has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including endangering the life of a police officer, kidnapping, and violence. The arrest has been denounced by his lawyers as a "ridiculous" and politically motivated case.

Why this matters: The arrest of a prominent opposition figure highlights the ongoing political tensions and repression in Comoros, which could have implications for the country's democratic stability and human rights. It also underscores the need for international scrutiny and pressure on governments to respect the rights of opposition leaders and ensure fair elections.

Mohamed was among the opposition candidates who rejected the re-election of President Azali Assoumani in January, citing fraud. Assoumani won the election with 57.2% of the vote, a result disputed by most opposition, leader, detained, ahead candidates. The election was followed by deadly protests in the capital, Moroni.

The incident leading to Mohamed's arrest occurred on Tuesday after he posted a video on social media complaining about security officers following him in an unmarked car. Prosecutors alleged that he accused one of the agents of being a thief, causing the official to be chased by an angry mob.

In addition to the charges related to the incident, Mohamed was also slapped with unrelated charges stemming from the disputed election, including inciting a riot, disturbing public order, and discrediting public instructions. His lawyer, Said Larifou, described the charges as"a testament to the arbitrariness and abuse of power"characterizing Assoumani's rule.

Assoumani has been accused of creeping authoritarianism since returning to power in 2016. He initially came to power in a coup in 1999, handed over to civilians in 2006, and returned a decade later, winning a vote marred by violence and allegations of irregularities.

The arrest of Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed, a prominent opposition figure and former interior minister, highlights the ongoing political tensions in Comoros following the disputed presidential election in January. As Assoumani prepares to be officially sworn in later this month, the charges against Mohamed are seen by his supporters as an attempt to silence dissent and consolidate power.

Key Takeaways

• Daoudou Abdallah Mohamed, Comoros opposition leader, arrested on multiple charges.
• Lawyers claim arrest is "ridiculous" and politically motivated.
• Mohamed rejected President Azali Assoumani's re-election, citing fraud.
• Assoumani accused of creeping authoritarianism since 2016.
• Arrest seen as attempt to silence dissent and consolidate power.