Ahmed Abdallah

Ahmed Abdallah Abderemane (Arabic: أحمد عبد الله عبد الرحمن, Ahmad Abd Allah Abd ar-Rahman, 12 June 1919 – 26 November 1989) was a Comorian politician. He was a member of the French Senate from 1959 to 1973, and President of the Comoros from 25 October 1978 until his assassination in 1989.

Early life

Ahmed Abdallah Abderemane was born on June 12, 1919 in Domoni, on the island of Anjouan.

Political career

He began participating in the government in the 1940s, while the Comoros were still part of France. He was the President of the general council from 1949 until 1953, and was the chairman of the Chamber of Deputies from April 1970 to June 1970.

Presidency

First Presidency (1975)

In 1972, Abdallah, now leader of his political party, the Comoros Democratic Union (UDC), became president of the government council and Chief Minister of the Comoros; he served in that position until 6 July 1975, when the islands became independent from France, (with the exception of Mayotte, which voted to remain part of France.) Abdallah became the first president of the independent islands, but was overthrown by Said Mohamed Jaffar in a coup d'état on 3 August 1975. Jaffar, in turn, would be overthrown by Ali Soilih in 1976.

Second presidency (1978-1989)

Abdallah (who had been living in exile Paris, France) was the nominal leader of the coup staged by mercenary Bob Denard on 13 May 1978. After Said Atthoumani had served as "Chairman of the Politico-Military Directorate" for ten days, Abdallah and Mohamed Ahmed assumed the titles of "Co-Chairmen of the Politico-Military Directorate". On 22 July, their titles were changed to "Co-Chairmen of the Directorate," and on 3 October, Abdallah became the lone chair.