Anjouan Rebel Leader Arrives In Reunion; France Considering Asylum

Saint Denis, Reunion (AHN) - Deposed rebel leader, Col. Mohamed Bacar has been flown in to Reunion Island on Friday by a French military plane from Mayotte. Bacar fled to Mayotte after a Comoran-led invasion overturned his separatist movement on the island of Aljouan. According to Agence France-Presse, Bacar boarded a French military C-160 transport, along with 23 of his loyal gendarmes after fleeing Aljouan on a speedboat.

On Thursday, French officials assured the government of the Union of Comoros Islands that Bacar would be investigated for setting foot on Mayotte illegally, and in possession of weapons. Nonetheless, France is reportedly studying Bacar's request for asylum.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters took to the streets and converged in front of the French embassy in Comoros, asking for France to hand over Bacar to the Comoran government.

Comoros' central government had already issued international arrest warrants for Bacar and his soldiers.