According to Political Parties of Africa and the Middle East, the National Union for Democracy in Comoros, or Union nationale pour la démocratie aux Comores (UNDC), was formed by Mohammed Taki (1993, 65). This information is corroborated by the Political Handbook of the World, which states that Taki founded the party while in exile in Paris (1992, 170). No foundation date for the party is identified by these two sources. Both sources, however, state that Taki was defeated in 1990 presidential elections by the current president of the country, Said Mohamed Djohar, (ibid.; Political Parties of Africa and the Middle East 1993, 63). During 1993 legislative election the UNDC participated in a coalition of political parties that used the name Union pour la République et le progrès (URP) (Europa 1994 1994, 839; Indian Ocean Newsletter 30 Oct. 1993, 3).

In January 1994 The Indian Ocean Newsletter reported that the UNDC, in conjunction with other opposition groups, had formed the Forum pour le Redressement National, (or, Forum for National Recovery (FRN), to unite the splintered opposition seeking to have President Djohar step down (22 Jan. 1994, 4).

For additional information on the UNDC, please consult the attachments.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 22 January 1994. No. 607. "Comoros Islands: Opposition Rallying Its Forces."

Indian Ocean Newsletter 30 October 1993. No. 596. "Comoros Islands: Contests - Electoral and Other."

Political Handbook of the World: 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Political Parties of Africa and the Middle East. 1993. Edited by Roger East and Tanya Joseph. The High, Harlow Essex: Longman Group UK.

Attachments

The Europa World Year Book 1994. 1994. 35th ed. Vol. 1. London: Europa Publications, pp. 833-36, 838-39.

The Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 25 February 1995. No. 660. "Comoros Islands: Agitated Elections in View," p. 3.

_____. 19 February 1994. No. 611. "Comoros Islands: Political Truce for Ramadan," p. 4.

_____. 22 January 1994. No. 607. "Comoros Islands: Opposition Rallying Its Forces," p. 4.

_____. 18 December 1993. No. 603. "Comoros Islands: First Round to the Opposition," p. 2.

_____. 30 October 1993. No. 596. "Comoros Islands: Contests - Electoral and Other," p. 3.

_____. 9 October 1993. No. 593. "Comoros Islands: The Opposition Treks to Paris," p. 4.

_____. 28 November 1992. No. 552. "Comoros Islands: Questionable Election Results," p. 3.

New African Yearbook 1995-96. 1995. Edited by Alan Rake. London: IC Publications, pp. 98-99.

Political Handbook of the World: 1992. 1992. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications, pp. 168-70.

Political Parties of Africa and the Middle East. 1993. Edited by Roger East and Tanya Joseph. The High, Harlow Essex: Longman Group UK, pp. 62-65.