Former Army Chief in Coup-Prone Comoros Rejects Vote Results
- Soihili Mohamed announces formation of transitional council
- Electoral body said Assoumani won outright in March 24 vote
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Comoros opposition leader Soilihi Mohamed, a former chief of staff in the coup-prone nation’s army, announced the formation of a transitional council as he demanded the results of this week’s presidential election be invalidated. He was arrested shortly afterward.
The Indian Ocean archipelago’s electoral commission said Tuesday that Azali Assoumani won a second consecutive presidential term with 61 percent of ballots cast. The opposition had already questioned the credibility of the vote after the Supreme Court barred Assoumani’s main opponent, Ibrahim Mohamed Soule, and six other candidates from running. The March 24 poll was marred further by assaults on those who were allowed to participate as well as the arrest of opposition supporters.