On this day, mercenaries led by French mercenary Bob Denard staged a coup in the Comoros, successfully capturing President Said Mohammed Djohar.
The local army offered no resistance during the takeover, marking a significant political disruption in the island nation's governance.
Born on 22 August in 1918 in Majunga, Madagascar, Djohar was the half brother of socialist Comorian president Ali Soilih, who had been brought to power in a coup d'état organised by Bob Denard. Djohar was minister of public service, labour, youth and sports in 1960s. He was president of the Chamber of Deputies from June to October 1972.
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After Denard reinstated the previous president, Ahmed Abdallah, Djohar's political aspirations suffered a serious setback. He became a supreme court judge during this time.
The conflict between Denard and Abdallah created an opportunity for Djohar, and on November 27, 1989, the day after Abdallah was killed, Djohar became leader of the provisional government. He was elected in the disputed the 1990 elections.[1]
In late September 1995 the government of the Comoros was again overthrown by Bob Denard (Operation Kaskari) and his band of mercenaries, with Djohar being held prisoner in military barracks for several days.
The French government flew him to Réunion for 'medical treatment', and denied him a return to the Comoros until January 1996. When he was able to return, he was restored to the presidency by the French Operation Azalee.
He left office in March 1996, after Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim won the presidential election.