FOMBONI, Comoros (AFP) — A strange atmosphere prevails in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Comoros, where more than 1,500 African troops are training for an operation to retake the rebel island of Anjouan.
The federal government did not recognise the re-election of Anjouan leader Colonel Mohamed Bacar in June 2007 and a tense stand-off is now poised to turn into an African Union-backed invasion of the island.
But as the mainly Tanzanians and some Sudanese AU contingent held exercises ahead of an expected landing on Anjouan, there were signs that the operation might pose unexpected problems for the force.
Some of the troops did not seem accustomed to beach landings.
Simulating beach landings on the small island of Fomoni, the Tanzanians inspired more laughter than awe as they clumsily get off their dinghies. Some manage to drop their rifles into the waves in the process.
"They sing better when they don't get down," an old man watching the exercise from his little beachfront kiosk said of the Tanzanians, who sing and dance lustily throughout the exercise.
Some of their comrades meanwhile simulated a defensive tactic, gathering near a wall. But it was an uphill task for many of them, who were clearly out of breath after a short sprint.
"Luckily there is no resistance on the beach," a Comoros military official overseeing the mock drill commented drily.
"One strategically placed machine gun and they all would have been dead," he added.
The landings were staged with two civilian vessels equipped with heavy arms, and 12 rubber dinghies belonging to the national army.
On Sunday, another 50 AU troops landed in Moheli, taking the AU force beyond the 1,500-mark. About 120 Senegalese troops are expected later in the day.
The AU soldiers will support a 400-strong local force.
Each of the three main islands in the Comoros, lying between Madagascar and Mozambique, has a regional president.
The national government, headed by President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, is based in Moroni, on the main island of Grand Comore.
The AU force -- comprising English, French and Arabic speakers -- have difficulties understanding each other, which hampers the issues of commands.
Although no date has been set for the offensive, Comoros's national government says it is only a matter of "days."
However, continental heavyweight South Africa has said it is still not too late for 11th-hour negotiations.
The fractious archipelago has survived 19 coups or coup attempts since it acquired independence from France in 1975.
The operation to remove Bacar from Anjouan has received broad support from the AU, whose other military ventures on the continent are hitting many snags.
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