Combo Ayouba
Encyclopedia
Combo Ayouba was a Comoran
colonel
and senior member of the Military of Comoros
. He was one of the highest ranking military officers in the Comoros
at the time of his assassination
in 2010.
Ayouba was born on the island of Anjouan
, which was a French
colony at the time. He initially worked as a police officer
. However, Ayouba was trained as a presidential guard
by the French mercenary
, Bob Denard
, during the 1980s.
On September 28, 1995, Bob Denard led his fourth military coup against the Comoran government. The coup, which Denard called Operation Kaskari, ousted President Said Mohamed Djohar
, who was imprisoned in the military barracks. Colonel Ayouba became the Coordinator of the Transitional Military Committee
, or head of state of the Comoros
from September 29 until October 2, 1995, when the French military ousted Denard, Ayouba and their allies during Operation Azalee
.
Ayouba was shot and killed at his home in Moroni
on June 13, 2010. He was one of the highest ranking officers in the Comoros at the time, and one of the few remaining officers who had been by Bob Denard.
Ayouba's killing was condemned by the French Foreign Ministry, which issued a statement saying it "hopes that those responsible for this killing will be identified and be brought to justice." The Comoran government deployed security forces to important government buildings throughout the capital, Moroni, following Ayouba's death. Schools and stores were closed throughout the country following the assassination. A demonstration by youths from Anjouan demanding the prosecution of Ayouba's killing was dispersed outside the Treasury building and courthouse.
Ayouba and other key Comoran public figures, including General Salimou Amiri, President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi
's chief of staff
, reportedly received letters containing death threats in the months prior to Ayouba's killing.
Comoros
The Comoros , officially the Union of the Comoros is an archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa, on the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, between northeastern Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar...
colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
and senior member of the Military of Comoros
Military of Comoros
The Comorian Security Force consist of a small standing army and a 500-member police force, as well as a 500-member defense force. A defense treaty with France provides naval resources for protection of territorial waters, training of Comorian military personnel, and air surveillance...
. He was one of the highest ranking military officers in the Comoros
Comoros
The Comoros , officially the Union of the Comoros is an archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean, located off the eastern coast of Africa, on the northern end of the Mozambique Channel, between northeastern Mozambique and northwestern Madagascar...
at the time of his assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
in 2010.
Ayouba was born on the island of Anjouan
Anjouan
Anjouan is an autonomous island, part of the Union of Comoros. The island is located in the Indian Ocean. Its capital is Mutsamudu and its population as of 2006 is about 277,500. The total area of the island is 424 sq. kilometers Anjouan (also known as Ndzuwani or Nzwani) is an autonomous island,...
, which was a French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
colony at the time. He initially worked as a police officer
Police officer
A police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
. However, Ayouba was trained as a presidential guard
Presidential Guard
Presidential Guard may refer to:*Evzones, the Greek Presidential Guard, formerly the Royal Guard.*Presidential Guard *Presidential Guard *Presidential Guard *Presidential Guard Brigade...
by the French mercenary
Mercenary
A mercenary, is a person who takes part in an armed conflict based on the promise of material compensation rather than having a direct interest in, or a legal obligation to, the conflict itself. A non-conscript professional member of a regular army is not considered to be a mercenary although he...
, Bob Denard
Bob Denard
Colonel Bob Denard , born Gilbert Bourgeaud, was a French soldier and mercenary. He was known for having done various jobs in support of Françafrique for Jacques Foccart, in charge of French president Charles de Gaulle's policy in Africa...
, during the 1980s.
On September 28, 1995, Bob Denard led his fourth military coup against the Comoran government. The coup, which Denard called Operation Kaskari, ousted President Said Mohamed Djohar
Said Mohamed Djohar
Said Mohammed Djohar was a Comorian politician who served as President of the Comoros during the 1990s.-Climb to power:...
, who was imprisoned in the military barracks. Colonel Ayouba became the Coordinator of the Transitional Military Committee
Heads of state of Comoros
-List of Heads of State of the Comoros:- Affiliations :-See also:*Comoros**Heads of government of the Comoros**Colonial heads of the Comoros*Lists of office-holders...
, or head of state of the Comoros
Heads of state of Comoros
-List of Heads of State of the Comoros:- Affiliations :-See also:*Comoros**Heads of government of the Comoros**Colonial heads of the Comoros*Lists of office-holders...
from September 29 until October 2, 1995, when the French military ousted Denard, Ayouba and their allies during Operation Azalee
Operation Azalee
Operation Azalee was the name of an expedition to remove the provisional government of the Comoros that was led and put into power by famed mercenary Bob Denard.- Denard coup :...
.
Ayouba was shot and killed at his home in Moroni
Moroni, Comoros
-References:...
on June 13, 2010. He was one of the highest ranking officers in the Comoros at the time, and one of the few remaining officers who had been by Bob Denard.
Ayouba's killing was condemned by the French Foreign Ministry, which issued a statement saying it "hopes that those responsible for this killing will be identified and be brought to justice." The Comoran government deployed security forces to important government buildings throughout the capital, Moroni, following Ayouba's death. Schools and stores were closed throughout the country following the assassination. A demonstration by youths from Anjouan demanding the prosecution of Ayouba's killing was dispersed outside the Treasury building and courthouse.
Ayouba and other key Comoran public figures, including General Salimou Amiri, President Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi
Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi
Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi is a Comorian Islamic leader and politician, and former President of Comoros. He is popularly known as 'Ayatollah'. After easily winning the 14 May 2006 presidential election with 58.02% of the national vote, Sambi was inaugurated as President of the Union of the...
's chief of staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
, reportedly received letters containing death threats in the months prior to Ayouba's killing.