The Federal President of the Union of the Comoros Ahmed Sambi in a TV address today gave the green light for the invasion of the rebel island of Anjouan. In his address President Sambi declared that Anjouan will be liberated within the “coming hours or days”.

The green light means that the 1500 African Union soldiers brought into to support the Comoros army will begin moving with their Comoran counterparts towards Anjouan from the neighbouring island of Moheli. The AU force comprises soldiers from Tanzania, Sudan and Senegal with logistic support from Libya.

The Comoros Islands which lie off the eastern coast of Africa midway between the island of Madagascar, Mozambique and Tanzania, have been immersed in political tension following a disputed election on the island which saw the declaration of Mohammed Bacar as President.

The Union of Comoros consists of three islands Anjouan, Moheli and Moroni each with its own elected President and a Federal President. Mohammed Bacar’s election as the President of Anjouan in 2007 was declared illegal by the Comoros Federal government; talks to resolve the political impasse have so far failed leading to the Comoros Federal Government looking to a military solution to the crisis.

Mohammed Bacar is believed to have 300 troops at his disposal on Anjouan.