UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday expressed concern over reports of heightened tensions on the island of Anjouan in the Comoros.
Guterres called on all concerned to exercise calm and utmost restraint in the interests of peace and stability in the country, said his spokesperson in a statement.
The UN chief urged all Comorian political actors to return to an African Union-brokered inter-Comorian dialogue and urged the government, political parties and civil society organizations to implement the confidence-building measures agreed to, in support of an inclusive dialogue process, said the statement.
Government troops clashed with protesters against President Azali Assoumani on the island of Anjouan on Tuesday.
Comoros, an island country in the western Indian Ocean, held elections on April 10 to choose its president and governors of three major highly autonomous islands, namely Grande Comore, Anjouan and Moheli.
Assoumani, from Grand Comore island, claimed victory in the referendum. The results of a June referendum on constitutional changes denied Anjouan's turn to hold the rotating presidency starting 2021.
