Africa-Press. Six former prime ministers of Comoros have urged President Ghazali Osman to allow imprisoned former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi to receive medical treatment abroad, warning that his health is deteriorating and requesting clemency amid growing concerns about political repression in the country.
In a letter dated May 26, the former leaders warned that Sambi’s health is “deteriorating alarmingly” and urged the president to show mercy, offering guarantees of his return if required by the courts.
Sambi has spent eight years under house arrest and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2022 for high treason related to a controversial scheme to sell passports. While the prosecutor insists that recent tests show no life-threatening condition, Sambi’s doctor has rejected this assessment, describing it as “incorrect” and stating that further investigations are ongoing.
Osmani, the former military leader who first seized power in a coup in 1999, has dominated national politics for decades. His repeated re-elections, the latest in 2024, have been marred by disputes and violent protests. Critics accuse him of tightening control over the state, which has a population of around 970,000.
This appeal from the six former prime ministers adds to the growing pressure on the government, as observers warn of shrinking political space and deteriorating human rights. Opponents have long cited Sambi’s case as evidence of judicial manipulation and political vendettas.
