Addis Ababa, 3 June 2018: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, received, yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie, in charge of the Diaspora, of the Union of the Comoros, Mohamed Souef el-Amine.

The Minister informed the Chairperson of the Commission of the latest developments concerning the issue of the Comorian island of Mayotte, including the ongoing discussions with France on the situation in Mayotte of people originating from the other islands of the Archipelago. The Chairperson of the Commission encouraged the pursuit of those discussions to find a speedy solution, respectful of the sovereignty of the Comoros, conducive to a relationship of trust between the two countries and taking into account the concerns of the Comoros, including the free movement of persons between Mayotte and the other islands of the Comorian Archipelago, as well as the facilitation of links with the Comorian Diaspora established in France.

The Chairperson of the Commission and the Minister also exchanged views on the follow-up of the National Conference held in Moroni, in February 2018, including the Constitutional referendum scheduled for 30 July 2018. The Chairperson of the Commission encouraged the search for the broadest possible consensus, so that any institutional changes would strengthen the stability of the Comoros and consolidate the progress made in recent years. It was agreed that an African Union emissary would be dispatched to the Comoros soon, for consultations with the Government and the other stake holders concerned.