Comoros Island declares curfew as post-election clashes erupted in Moroni

Authorities in the Comoros Island have declared curfew in response to the emerging post-election clashes that have usettled the country. The UN has called for calm amid the tense situation…

The government of Comoros Islands has announced an overnight curfew after police and soldiers clashed with demonstrators who are protesting against the re-election of President Azali Assoumani.

Opposition parties have appealed for the election to be declared illegitimate, as they alleged that the poll was a sham.

Tear gas was shot, while demonstrators burned tires and blocked roads in Moroni, the capital city.

Scores of people were also arrested during the demonstrations as protests were reported in other towns across the Indian Ocean archipelago.

A government spokesman accused the opposition of causing public disorder.

In the meantime, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Vulker Turks, has called for calm while urging the authorities to ensure the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

On Tuesday, the electoral commission declared that Mr Assoumani had received 63% of the vote in Sunday’s ballot, securing a fourth term as president.

He won the 2019 election with 60% of the vote, passing the 50% mark required to avoid a run-off.

Critics say since then his government has cracked down on oppositions, an accusation it denies.