Anniversary of President Abdallah’s Assassination Date: November 27
The Anniversary of President Abdallah’s Assassination is a public holiday on the Comoros Islands.
Ahmed Abdallah was the first president of the Comoros Islands and was assassinated by the military of the presidential guard at his presidential palace during the night of November 26, 1989.
History of President Abdallah’s Assassination on the Comoros Islands
The Comoros Islands remained under France’s colonial administration from 1909 up until July 6, 1975 when Ahmed Abdallah proclaimed the independence of the State of the Comoros and became its first president. However, on August 3, just one month after taking the presidency, Ahmed Abdallah was removed from office by an armed coup led by mercenaries and supported by the French Government.
Prince Said Mohammed Jaffar took the presidency, and months later another coup took him out to be replaced by his minister of Defense Ali Soilih. After some years, in 1978, another coup—by the same mercenaries that took Abdallah from the presidency—put Abdallah back in the presidential palace, this time with the French and South African support. Abdallah’s second presidency was authoritarian and adhered to traditional Islam, renaming the Comoros Islands as the Federal and Islamic Republic of Comoros. Abdallah was president until 1989 when he feared another coup against him, signing an order for mercenaries to disarm the Armed Forces. Shortly after signing the presidential order he was assassinated in his office by a military officer not happy with the president’s order to disarm.
The Comoros Islands’ Anniversary of President Abdallah’s Assassination Traditions, Customs and Activities
The Comoros Islands still live under the turmoil of politics and power struggles. This day is celebrated by governments in different ways, depending on what political meaning they want to take from the celebrations. Besides the normal political speeches in Comoros, celebrations involve feast of barbequed goat meat and seafood, and dances by the beautiful beaches.
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