The backstage of the Comoros’ classification of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Houthis as terrorist entities
Authorities in the Comoros Islands have taken the threat of terrorism from organizations and groups that have found safe haven there very seriously, by attempting to contain these extremist and radical entities.
The Ministry of the Interior in the Comoros Islands has announced a list of entities that it considers to be terrorist, headed by the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS, and Boko Haram, among 69 other terrorist entities.
Terrorist groups
According to the local newspaper Al-Watan, the list included Al-Qaeda, Al-Shabaab movement, Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia, and the Islamic Group in Egypt, as well as movements affiliated with Shia networks such as the Houthis in Yemen and all structures related to Hezbollah.
The newspaper quoted a responsible source at the Ministry of the Interior as saying that the declaration of this list of international terrorist groups and organizations and the banning of all their activities on its territories reflects the Comoros Islands’ desire to align with the directions of regional and international organizations, the African Union, the United Nations, and partners fighting the illicit activities of these terrorist groups.
The source added: “It is a message to these structures and organizations, and to all their supporters and supporters, that there will be no tolerance in the event of reporting or discovering suspicious activities in the Comorian territories.”
Cautionary intelligence reports
The direct interest of the authorities came in response to many intelligence reports from the United States, France, and neighboring African countries on the possibility of using the Comoros Islands as a backyard for those organizations. If those groups can find a foothold, the country will be in danger and will negatively affect many neighboring African countries.
The Minister of Interior of Comoros said, “Comoros must send a strong signal in its desire to combat terrorism in all its forms, financing, and attacking all structures that dedicate themselves to financing criminal activities.”
The list of names in the appendix includes organizations similar to these groups, with ideologies and all groups and currents that practice terrorism and culture of violence. The decree also allows for the seizure of “assets and inherited values,” and prohibits any “recruitment of followers” and “provision of human, material, and financial resources, or organizing promotional activities for them or engaging in their activities in any form.”
Branching terrorist groups
The targeted entities are based in the Middle East and have strong networks and branches in Africa, Europe, and some Asian countries, as well as in the Gulf of Aden near the Indian Ocean. The Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and al-Shabaab, suspected of supporting and supplying terrorist groups operating in the Mozambique Channel in Cabo Delgado, are listed on this blacklist published by Comorian authorities.
Compliance with international obligations
Today, the Indian Ocean region faces an increase in piracy, arms trafficking, and all types of illegal activities related to terrorist groups, as reported by the Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre based in Madagascar, according to its International Communications Officer, Said Lavani, who represents Comoros at the Centre. Lavani announced a list of terrorist organizations, stating, “The Comoros Union wishes to comply with the directives of regional and international organizations, the African Union in particular, as well as partners who combat illicit activities.”
A source from the Ministry of the Interior stated that this message is directed towards these structures and those who encourage them, and there will be no tolerance for reporting or discovering suspicious activities in Comoros.
This action came two days after the 36th ordinary session of the African Union, where the President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, assumed the presidency.
African Consensus Against Extremism
According to local Comorian media, African leaders within the African Union agree on the need for an African uprising to combat terrorism and counter the expansion of extremist groups in Africa, particularly in the African coast and West African countries. There is also a need to provide and mobilize the necessary human resources to confront terrorism and security threats, as well as to consider the preparation of the African Ready Force and coordinate with the United Nations Security Council to finance peace and security operations on the continent.
African leaders emphasized the efforts to eradicate terrorism in Somalia and support the efforts of the Somali government and regional countries in countering Al-Shabaab. The summit also emphasized the need to establish African food chains and secure Africa’s food supply, so as not to be held hostage to global changes that affect its food security.
Previous steps to announcement
On another occasion, the President of the Union of the Comoros, Azali Assoumani, warned of the danger of leaving a tension hotspot, which provides fertile ground for international terrorism, expressing his concern about the developments that have already been observed in the Horn of Africa region.
He said before the Security Council: “These groups are not Muslim, they are terrorist,” noting that the frustration of young people who aspire to a better future fuels them.
Regarding extremism in the Comoros, the Mufti of the United Republic of the Comoros, Sheikh Abu Bakr Sidi Abdel-Lah Jomla Lail, confirmed that unifying the sources of fatwa in his country helped to confront extremism and that there is no conflict in the opinions issued regarding religious fatwas.
The Mufti of the Comoros said in statements to the press last year: “Extremists in his country are very few and cannot express their opinions due to the presence of scholars and the government standing against extremist thinking.”
Importing extremism
The Comoros Islands, located in the southern region of the Indian Ocean and in close proximity to the eastern coasts of Africa, are a member of the League of Arab States and have a large Muslim population. They have always been exposed to all these extremist ideologies due to the frequent visits of many of its citizens to extremist Islamic circles in France and African countries, in addition to Comorian citizens who have returned from dangerous countries such as Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan, Sudan, and Pakistan.
