Comoros requests for extradition of Mohamed Bacar from Reunion
Posted by African Press International on March 29, 2008
Published by Korir, api africanpress@getmail.no source.apa
The deposed President of Anjouan, Colonel Mohamed Bacar, who has sought refuge on Wednesday in the French island of Mayotte along with 23 of his guards, arrived in Reunion Island where he is expected to be handed over to the French justice on Friday.
Colonel Bacar was overthrown following an attack led by the African Union-backed Comorian forces.
The Comorian interim Foreign Minister Houmadi Abdallah on Thursday told a press conference that he had gotten in touch with the French authorities on Colonel Bacar’s flight.
Moroni is claiming Colonel Bacar’s extradition by France to be tried in the country in accordance with the international warrants against the separatist leader.
According to the minister, the Comoros Union will do everything possible to find Mohamed Bacar and try him for crimes against humanity.
The French ambassador to Moroni, Christian Job, however, ascertained the presence of the rebel Colonel in Mayotte along with over twenty collaborators.
Asked about Comoros’ attitude should France reject the extradition of Mr Bacar, who is reportedly heading to Reunion, a French department in the Indian Ocean, Minsiter Abdallah said should the case occur, his government would take its responsibilities without giving further details.
About 1500 troops from the Comorian forces and the African Union (Tanzanians and Sudanese) on Tuesday early in the morning invaded Anjouan to dislodge the self-proclaimed President Mohamed Bacar.
The African Union had in the past mediated to put an end to the crisis triggered by Mohamed Bacar’s announcement of his victory following the illegal poll held in June 2007.
The continental organisation had refused to acknowledge the election on the tropical island that had tried in 1997 to break away from the other islands, only to rejoin in 2001.
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