Ahmed Abdallah
Encyclopedia
Ahmed Abdallah Abderemane was a Comorian
politician. He was President of the Comoros from 25 October 1978 until his death.
, on the island of Anjouan
. He began participating in the government in the 1940s, while the Comoros were still part of France
. He was the President of the general council from 1949 until 1953, and was the chairman of the chamber of deputies during 1970.
of the Comoros; he served in that position until July 6, 1975, when the islands became independent from France, (with the exception of Mayotte
, which voted to remain part of France.) Abdallah became the first president of the independent islands, but was overthrown by Said Mohamed Jaffar
in a coup d'état
on August 3, 1975. Jaffar, in turn, would be overthrown by Ali Soilih
in 1976.
, France) staged a coup against Soilih in 1978 with the help of mercenary Bob Denard
. After Said Atthoumani
had served as "Chairman of the Politico-Military Directorate" for ten days, Abdallah and Mohamed Ahmed
assumed the titles of "Co-Chairmen of the Politico-Military Directorate." On July 22, their titles were changed to "Co-Chairmen of the Directorate," and on October 3, Abdallah became the lone chair.
On October 25, Abdallah assumed the title of president and remained in office until his death, despite three separate coup attempts against him. In 1982, Abdallah had the UDC and all other parties abolished, and a new party, the Comorian Union for Progress
(UCP), was set up. Comoros became a one-party state, with the UCP being the only legal party.
Abdallah was re-elected unopposed in 1984. On November 26, 1989, he was assassinated in the capital, Moroni
, during a coup led by Ali Soilih's half-brother, Said Mohamed Djohar
. Djohar took control of the country the next day.
Comoros
The Comoros , officially the Union of the Comoros is an archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa, on the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, between northeastern Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar...
politician. He was President of the Comoros from 25 October 1978 until his death.
Life prior to the presidency
Abdallah was born in DomoniDomoni
Domoni is the second largest city on the Comorian island of Anjouan, located on the east coast of the island.- History :...
, on the island of Anjouan
Anjouan
Anjouan is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island,...
. He began participating in the government in the 1940s, while the Comoros were still part of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. He was the President of the general council from 1949 until 1953, and was the chairman of the chamber of deputies during 1970.
First presidency
In 1972, Abdallah, now leader of his political party, the Comoros Democratic Union (UDC), became president of the government council and Chief MinisterChief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of the Comoros; he served in that position until July 6, 1975, when the islands became independent from France, (with the exception of Mayotte
Mayotte
Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France consisting of a main island, Grande-Terre , a smaller island, Petite-Terre , and several islets around these two. The archipelago is located in the northern Mozambique Channel in the Indian Ocean, namely between northwestern Madagascar and...
, which voted to remain part of France.) Abdallah became the first president of the independent islands, but was overthrown by Said Mohamed Jaffar
Said Mohamed Jaffar
Prince Said Mohamed Jaffar was the former president of the State of Comoros from August 1975 until January 1976, as well as chief minister of the Comoros government from August till December 1975....
in a coup d'état
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
on August 3, 1975. Jaffar, in turn, would be overthrown by Ali Soilih
Ali Soilih
Ali Soilih, full name Ali Soilih Mtsashiwa, was a Comorian socialist revolutionary and political figure.-Biography:...
in 1976.
Second presidency
Abdallah, (who had been living in exile ParisParis
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France) staged a coup against Soilih in 1978 with the help of mercenary Bob Denard
Bob Denard
Colonel Bob Denard , born Gilbert Bourgeaud, was a French soldier and mercenary. He was known for having done various jobs in support of Françafrique for Jacques Foccart, in charge of French president Charles de Gaulle's policy in Africa...
. After Said Atthoumani
Said Atthoumani
-Political career:He served as interior minister of the State of Comoros, , briefly during 1975 when Comoros gained independence, but lost that post when Ali Soilih took power...
had served as "Chairman of the Politico-Military Directorate" for ten days, Abdallah and Mohamed Ahmed
Mohamed Ahmed
Mohamed Ahmed was a Comorian politician. He was born in Mutsamudu on the island of Anjouan. During the 1950s, he became one of the most important non-French political leaders in the Comoros, and served as vice-president of the government council from 1957 until 1962...
assumed the titles of "Co-Chairmen of the Politico-Military Directorate." On July 22, their titles were changed to "Co-Chairmen of the Directorate," and on October 3, Abdallah became the lone chair.
On October 25, Abdallah assumed the title of president and remained in office until his death, despite three separate coup attempts against him. In 1982, Abdallah had the UDC and all other parties abolished, and a new party, the Comorian Union for Progress
Comorian Union for Progress
The Comorian Union for Progress is a defunct political party in the Comoros.In 1978, French mercenary Bob Denard staged a coup d'etat against the socialist government of Ali Soilih, bringing Ahmed Abdallah back to power. In February 1982, Abdallah banned all existing political parties and created...
(UCP), was set up. Comoros became a one-party state, with the UCP being the only legal party.
Abdallah was re-elected unopposed in 1984. On November 26, 1989, he was assassinated in the capital, Moroni
Moroni, Comoros
-References:...
, during a coup led by Ali Soilih's half-brother, Said Mohamed Djohar
Said Mohamed Djohar
Said Mohammed Djohar was a Comorian politician who served as President of the Comoros during the 1990s.-Climb to power:...
. Djohar took control of the country the next day.