The Comorian government has appealed to political exiles for a peaceful return in anticipation of the next presidential elections, at the beginning of 2024. In a statement on Monday evening May 15th, the Ministry of the Interior explained that this outstretched hand from the authorities expressed a concern to appease the political climate, but this government gesture has struggled to convince the main concerned.
“Political personalities of the Comoros currently in exile abroad are formally informed that they can return in peace to the Union of Comoros”, can we read in the government press release?
This call is far from convincing the main concerned, including Saïd Larifou, former presidential candidate of 2019 and who went into exile in France, “I expected him to adopt a responsible posture, up to the immediate issues. It is not by this simple press release that we are going to restore confidence and dialogue. This must result from the sincere will of the Head of State. ”
The government says it wants a “real appeasement of the political climate”. But paradoxically, some opponents are excluded from the call to return home. “There are only two people who are outside who are involved in politics in the country and who have been sentenced,” explains government spokesman Houmed Msaidié.
Presidential pardon
The two opponents cited are Mohamed Ali Soilihi, former vice-president, and Tocha Djohar, ex-deputy are respectively sentenced to 20 years in prison for offenses related to the sale of Comorian passports to foreigners and the assault on a law enforcement officer during the 2018 referendum.
Like all other convicts, they have the possibility of asking for a presidential pardon, which will be considered, according to the government.