Comorosians urged to attend Paris meeting to expose Azali’s misrule

Many political parties and civil bodies based in the Comoros have issued a joint call to Comorosians to join a massive gathering in Paris on April 2 to protest the misrule of Colonel Azali Assoumani, the president of the the Comoros.The rally is scheduled for 2 pm at the Human Rights Arena, Place Trocadero, Metro Trocadero.In a letter addressed to all citizens of the Comoros, the parties said:“Time is critical! After 42 years of partial independence of the Comoros, the political and institutional situation in our country has become increasingly disturbing. Our institutions and democracy are at risk; our public freedoms, freedom of expression and opinion have been undermined under Colonel Azali’s regime. The Comoros has not experienced a similar situation since the days of the mercenaries.“Therefore, we, the civil society, the Comoros Association for the Defense of Human Rights, the Association for the Defense of Comoros Democracy, political parties and Comorosian personalities, call on all Comorosians to join a large gathering in Paris on Monday, April 2 at 2 pm at the Human Rights Arena, Place Trocadero, Metro Trocadero.”The letter said the meeting is organised to say no to: The dictatorship of Colonel Azali, Restrictions on public and individual freedoms; The destabilisation of the Comoros’ union; The exploitation of religion; The closure of radio stations; The discredit and exclusion the Comorosians in the diaspora.  The meeting is aimed to defend: Institutions and democracy in the Comoros; Freedom of the press; Freedom of speech; Freedom of the Comorosians’ movement between islands.The letter was issued by the following organisations: SOS Democratie aux Comores; ACDH (Association Comorienne de Defense de Droits Humains); Collectif pour la Defense de la Democratie aux Comores (CDDC); Comite de Soutien du journaliste Abdallah AGWA;  Mouvement Touche pas a Ma Tournante.Among the political parties who signed the appeal are: JUWA, UPDC,RDC, Nouvelle Generation des Soilihistes, RIFAID Comores, ULEZI, MDA, Comores Alternatives and FD.