Special Operations.Com
Comoros
Islands
Special
Operations and Counterterrorist Units
Presidential Guard
The islands became a French colony
following the agreement between Great Britain, Germany,
and France at the Berlin conference in the 1880s.
Three of the islands: Ngazidja,
Mwali,
and Nzwani,
declared themselves independent of France and became
the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoro Islands
in 1975. The fourth major island of the archipelago,
Mayotte
(Maore), continues to be administered by France
although it is claimed by the Comoro Republic and
this claim has been recognized by the United Nations
General Assembly. In 1997, separatists on Nzwani and
Mwali declared these islands to be independent from
the Republic but this status has not been recognized
and is being contested today.
The small Presidential Guard
is the primary response unit for the Comoro Islands.
This unit has, however, received very little training
and would almost certainly rely on the French government
to supply GIGN in the event of a significant
terrorist event. This almost came to pass in October
1995 when France sent some 20 members of its elite
anti-terrorist units to the Indian Ocean ahead of
possible moves to oust white mercenaries who led a
coup on the Comoro Islands. The commandos came from
three units including the Groupement d'Intervention
de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN), specialists from
the Army's Special Operations Command, and the "action"
department of the French DGSE overseas espionage service.
France, the former colonial ruler of the islands,
has said it would not intervene in the Comoros unless
its estimated 1,500 nationals living there were in
danger. France has a 1978 defense agreement with the
Comoros, dealing in particular with "external
aggression."
The Comoros Islands have experienced frequent strikes
and civil unrest, resulting in violent clashes between
police and demonstrators. Although foreign residents
and visitors have not been targeted, the potential
for further outbreaks of civil disorder remains high.
Anjouan, the second largest island in Comoros, declared
itself independent in 1997. There has been fighting
between various armed groups since December 1998.
U.S. citizens are urged to defer non-essential travel
to Anjouan, while U.S. residents are urged to review
their own personal safety in determining whether to
remain on the island.
In April 1999, there was a coup d’etat on Grand Comore
following a week of violent protests against Anjouanais
residents there. Although the situation on Grand Comore
has calmed, the potential for further outbreaks of
violence exists.
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