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Comorian presidential election
January 14, 2024
The election was viewed as a referendum on the presidency of Azali Assoumani, who faced opposition from five other candidates. Opposition candidates pledged to unite behind a single candidate should no candidate reach a majority of the vote in the 14 January election, which would trigger a runoff election on 25 February. The opposition candidates shared the slogan “Azali Nalawe” (“Azali, get out”). Ten days before campaigning began, Harimia Ahmed, the senior Supreme Court magistrate responsible for monitoring the elections, was dismissed through a decree by Assoumani.
Assoumani campaigned on the slogan “Gwa Ndzima” (“knock out in one go”), signaling his intent to win an outright majority in the first round. He pledged to continue his ongoing projects such as increased infrastructure, turning the country into a tourist destination and raising Comoros’ international profile through his assumption of the rotating presidency of the African Union. He also blamed the “coronavirus crisis” for adversely affecting his track record.
On 16 January 2024 Idrissa Said Ben Ahmada, the head of the Comorian election commission, announced that Assoumani had received 63% of the vote, precluding a run-off. His nearest rival, Salim Issa Abdillah, received 20%. However, the commission noted that only 55,258 voters had voted in the presidential election, which was boycotted by some opposition candidates, a turnout of just 16%. The commission also said that 189,497 voters voted in the concurrent gubernatorial elections for each of the country’s three islands. The Comorian Supreme Court is expected to validate the results on 21 January.
Sources and further reading:
Ex-coup leader Azali Assoumani wins re-election in disputed Comoros presidential vote, France24 16.01.24
Comoros election: Internet cut after protests, BBC News 19.01.24
