List of Comorian coups d'état

This article lists successful and failed coups d'état that have taken place in the Comoros since 1975:

A CIA WFB map of the Comoro Islands, depicting the independent country of the Comoros and the French overseas territory of Mayotte (claimed by the Comoros^[1]).

1970s

• 3 August 1975: President Ahmed Abdallah was overthrown by Said Mohamed Jaffar and French mercenary Bob Denard.^[2]
• 13 May 1978: President Ali Soilih was overthrown by Ahmed Abdallah and Bob Denard,^[3] resulting in his killing thirteen days later;^[4] Denard became the commander of Abdallah's 500-strong Presidential Guard for the next eleven years (1978–1989).^[5]

1980s

• 26 November 1989: President Ahmed Abdallah was overthrown by Said Mohamed Djohar and Bob Denard, resulting in his assassination;^[6] under French pressure,^[7] Denard and other mercenaries left the country the next month.^[8]

1990s

• 28 September 1995 (Operation Kaskari): President Said Mohamed Djohar was overthrown by Bob Denard,^[9] who returned to the country with a force of 33 hand-picked mercenaries; it was the last coup staged with Denard's involvement.^[10][11] The coup resulted in the French military intervention (Operation Azalee) days later,^[12] and the removal of Denard from the country.^[13]
• 30 April 1999: President Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde was overthrown by Colonel Azali Assoumani of the Comorian Armed Forces.^[14][15][16]

2010s

• 20 April 2013: President Ikililou Dhoinine's government foiled a coup attempt.^[17]

See also

• History of the Comoros

References

1. "Field Listing - Disputes - international". The World Factbook. Archived from the original on 16 October 2020.
2. "Pro-French Group Gains Control Of the Comoro Islands in a Coup". New York Times. Reuters. 4 August 1975. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
3. "REGIME IN COMOROS OUSTED BY MILITARY". New York Times. Reuters. 14 May 1978. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
4. "Ex-Comoro Island Chief Reported Shot to Death While Trying to Escape". New York Times. Reuters. 30 May 1978. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
5. L'ancien mercenaire Bob Denard est mort, Le Figaro, October 14, 2007. (in French)
6. "President of Comoro Islands Is Assassinated". New York Times. 28 November 1989. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
7. "France Will Stop Aid to Comoros Unless Mercenaries Leave". New York Times. Reuters. 7 December 1989. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
8. Christopher S. Wren (16 December 1989). "MERCENARIES QUIT INDIAN OCEAN ISLES". New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
9. "Mercenary Leads Coup Bid in African Islands". New York Times. AP. 29 September 1995. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
10. "Bob Denard, French former mercenary, dies at 78". New York Times. 14 October 2007. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
11. Marlise Simons (16 October 2007). "Bob Denard, Hired Gun for Coups, Is Dead at 78". New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
12. Marlise Simons (5 October 1995). "1,000 French Troops Invade Comoros to Put Down Coup". New York Times. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
13. "French Mercenary Gives Up in Comoros Coup". New York Times. AP. 6 October 1995. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
14. "Comoros Army Stages Bloodless Coup in Tiny, 3-Island Republic Off Africa". LA Times. Reuters. 1 May 1999. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
15. "New President for Comoro". New York Times. Reuters. 7 May 1999. Retrieved 22 January 2023.
16. Page 753 Time Almanac, 2004
17. "Comores: coup d'État déjoué (autorités)". Lefigaro.fr. 22 April 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2016.