Operations of the securisation of the elections in the Comoros
Since gaining independence from France in 1975, the Union of the Comoros was plagued by a period of instability, culminating in the attempted breakaway of Anjouan. In October 2005, the President of the Comoros demanded the President of the AU Commission and the UN Secretary-General to provide security for the upcoming elections as well as technical, logistical and financial support in collaboration with other partners. The African Union mission in the Comoros, AMISEC, has helped to stabilise the country during the elections in 2006.
In June 2008, the African Union has continued to provide its support to the Union of the Comoros by backing up Comorian forces in a successful operation to restore constitutional order in Anjouan. With the financial support of the EU, the Tanzanian and Sudanese contingents of the MAES (Mission d'Assistance Electorale aux Comores) helped the elections to run smoothly in Anjouan.
The African Union missions in the Comoros of approximatively 500 peacekeepers, were composed of a protection force, a military and civilian support unit, military observers, as well as a police contingent. The role of framework nation was assured by South Africa. The support of the African Peace Facility to the operations of securisation of the elections in the Comoros amounts totalled € 8.5 millions.