Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan

The Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan is the legislative institution of Anjouan, one of the three main islands that constitute the Union of the Comoros. Established within the framework of the country’s complex autonomous governance structure, the Assembly functions as the primary law-making and representative body at the island level. Its role has been particularly significant during periods of political instability and contested authority between island administrations and the federal government of the Comoros.
Anjouan’s political institutions, including its Assembly, emerged from efforts to balance national unity with island autonomy following cycles of secessionist movements, constitutional reforms, and negotiated settlements. The Assembly thus represents both a legislative forum and a symbol of Anjouan’s autonomous aspirations within the Comorian state.

Background and Constitutional Context

The political framework of Anjouan must be understood within the broader constitutional evolution of the Union of the Comoros. Following independence from France in 1975, the Comoros experienced frequent coups and institutional instability. Discontent among individual islands, particularly Anjouan, led to secessionist movements in the late 1990s, with Anjouan declaring independence in 1997.
Subsequent negotiations resulted in the Fomboni Accords of 2000, which laid the foundation for a new constitutional order granting substantial autonomy to each island while maintaining the unity of the state. Under this arrangement, each island, including Anjouan, was entitled to its own president and legislative assembly, responsible for managing island-level affairs.
Within this constitutional framework, the Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan was established as the legislative authority responsible for enacting laws, approving budgets, and overseeing the island’s executive branch.

Structure and Composition of the Assembly

The Assembly of Anjouan is a unicameral legislative body. Its membership is determined through island-wide elections held at regular intervals, in accordance with local electoral laws and constitutional provisions.
Following the 2004 legislative elections, the Assembly consisted of a total of 25 members. These members were elected from constituencies across the island, reflecting Anjouan’s administrative divisions. The size of the Assembly was intended to ensure representation while remaining proportionate to the island’s population and administrative capacity.
Members of the Assembly are responsible for:

• Drafting and passing island-level legislation.
• Debating policies related to local governance, public services, and economic development.
• Exercising oversight over the Island President and executive institutions.
• Representing the political interests of their constituencies.

Elections of 2004

The 2004 elections stand out as a significant moment in the political history of Anjouan’s Assembly. These elections were held in two rounds on 14 and 21 March 2004, reflecting a common electoral practice in the Comoros designed to ensure majority support for elected representatives.
The elections were politically charged, taking place during a period marked by tensions between Anjouan’s island leadership and the federal authorities of the Union of the Comoros. The contest largely revolved around support for the Island President of Anjouan, Mohamed Bacar, and alignment with or opposition to the federal President, Azali Assoumani.
The results demonstrated a decisive victory for supporters of Mohamed Bacar:

• 20 seats were won by candidates aligned with the Island President.
• 5 seats were secured by supporters of the President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani.

This distribution gave the Island President a strong legislative majority, significantly strengthening his political position within Anjouan.

Political Significance of the 2004 Results

The outcome of the 2004 Assembly elections had major political implications. With an overwhelming majority in the Assembly, Mohamed Bacar was able to consolidate power on the island and pursue policies with limited legislative resistance.
The dominance of pro-Bacar representatives:

• Reduced the influence of federal-aligned politicians within Anjouan’s legislative process.
• Reinforced the perception of Anjouan as politically distant from the central government.
• Enabled the passage of legislation supportive of the Island President’s agenda.

At the same time, the presence of a smaller opposition bloc ensured that pro-federal voices were not entirely excluded, although their capacity to shape outcomes remained limited.

Functions and Legislative Powers

The Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan exercises legislative authority over matters devolved to the island under the Comorian constitution. These typically include areas such as:

• Local administration and governance.
• Island-level taxation and budgeting.
• Education, health, and social services within the scope of island autonomy.
• Economic development and infrastructure planning.

The Assembly debates and adopts laws applicable exclusively to Anjouan, provided they do not conflict with federal legislation or constitutional provisions. It also scrutinises the actions of the Island President and executive officials through questions, debates, and committee work.
In theory, this legislative oversight is a key mechanism for democratic accountability within the island’s autonomous system.

Relationship with the Island Presidency

The relationship between the Assembly and the Island President is central to Anjouan’s governance. While the Assembly is formally independent, political realities have often shaped its effectiveness.
Following the 2004 elections, the strong alignment between the majority of Assembly members and President Mohamed Bacar resulted in a cooperative, and at times deferential, legislature. This alignment facilitated executive decision-making but also raised concerns about the weakening of checks and balances.
Critics argued that such dominance risked transforming the Assembly into a supportive body rather than an independent legislative institution, particularly during periods of political tension with the federal government.

Relations with the Federal Government

Anjouan’s Assembly operates within a delicate relationship with the Union government in Moroni. While island autonomy is constitutionally recognised, disputes over competencies, electoral legitimacy, and political authority have frequently strained relations.
The 2004 Assembly, dominated by Bacar’s supporters, was perceived by federal authorities as reinforcing Anjouan’s resistance to central oversight. This dynamic contributed to escalating tensions that later culminated in political crises, including contested elections and federal intervention.
As a result, the Assembly became not only a legislative body but also a focal point in broader debates over sovereignty, autonomy, and national unity within the Comoros.

Criticism and Challenges

The Assembly of the Autonomous Island of Anjouan has faced several criticisms over time. Observers and political analysts have pointed to:

• Limited political pluralism during periods of dominant-party control.
• Weak institutional independence from the island executive.
• Challenges in legislative capacity and resources.
• The impact of political instability on effective law-making.