Comoros President Azali Assoumani has been confirmed by the Supreme Court to seek re-election, setting the stage for a highly contentious vote in January 2024. The small nation of 800,000 people is bracing itself for a political showdown as opponents threaten to boycott the election if certain conditions, such as the release of political prisoners, are not met.

Assoumani, a former army colonel who initially took power in a coup in 1999, has faced accusations of electoral irregularities in the past. Despite protests from the opposition, he was declared the winner of the 2019 presidential election, securing a controversial five-year term.

The upcoming election, scheduled for January 14, 2024, will see Assoumani facing nine opponents, including Salim Issa, a prominent physician and the flagbearer for Juwa, the political party of former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi. Sambi, who was sentenced to life in prison in 2022 for “high treason,” remains a divisive figure in Comorian politics.

The opposition has raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, demanding the release of political prisoners and a restructuring of the electoral body to ensure independence and prevent military interference.

With the specter of past grievances and political tensions looming over the upcoming election, Comorians are bracing themselves for a fiercely contested battle for the nation’s leadership.

As the country gears up for a pivotal moment in its democratic journey, all eyes are on Comoros as it navigates the complexities of power, governance, and the will of its people in the forthcoming election.