Ali Soilih President of the Comoros Date of Birth: 07.01.1937 Country: Comoros

1. Biography of Ali Soilih
2. Presidency of the Comoros Islands
3. Moissy and International Isolation
4. Overthrow and Death

Biography of Ali Soilih

Ali Soilih was a political figure and the President of the Comoros Islands. He entered politics in 1970 as a supporter of President Said Ibrahim's Government Council and soon became a supporter of Maoism. In 1976, he overthrew President Said Mohamed Jaffar and assumed leadership of the Revolutionary Council. Under the new Constitution, he was granted broad powers and declared the task of building a socialist economy.

Presidency of the Comoros Islands

In 1977, Ali Soilih assumed the position of President of the Comoros Islands. During his presidency, he embarked on the implementation of a program known as "national socialism," which was based on the synthesis of Maoist ideology and Islamic philosophy. This program included the nationalization of large landholdings and properties owned by expelled French colonists, the introduction of economic planning, the abolition of Sharia laws and certain customs, the limitation of the influence of Muslim clergy, and the dissolution of political parties.

Moissy and International Isolation

As part of his policies, Ali Soilih formed the revolutionary militia called Moissy, which included Tanzanian military advisors. The actions of Moissy were reminiscent of the methods employed by the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution in China. Moissy activists terrorized rural populations and attacked representatives of the conservative older generation of clergy, who were traditionally respected by the local population. The anti-Islamic direction of the government's policies led to destabilization in the country, resulting in the Comoros Islands facing international isolation.

Overthrow and Death

In May 1978, a new coup took place, led by French mercenary Bob Denard. President Ali Soilih was killed, and power once again shifted to Ahmed Abdallah.