# Protests and Pressure Against Denard (Early December 1989)

URL: https://allhistories.com/comoros/timeline/1989-protests-and-pressure-against-denard
Location: Moroni, Grande Comore, Comoros
Themes: main-event

The Guard's seizure of power on 29 November 1989 left the Comoros under open mercenary control. Many Comorians, long resentful of Denard and his officers, held them responsible for Abdallah's death and for years of abuses. Abroad, France and South Africa had both decided that the mercenary regime had to end, while avoiding a bloody confrontation. In early December South Africa cut off its aid, which had financed the Guard, and France suspended its assistance and concentrated troops and naval forces on Mayotte, within striking distance of Grande Comore. In Moroni, anti-Denard demonstrations on 7 December were violently broken up. Schools closed and civil servants went on strike, paralysing the administration. The French businessman Jean-Yves Ollivier, who had close contacts in Pretoria, acted as a mediator with Denard. The combination of domestic protest and external pressure left Denard isolated. Without South African money and facing the prospect of a French military operation, he began negotiating the terms of his departure. The crisis showed that his power had always depended on foreign patrons, and that once they withdrew their support his rule over the islands could not last. At this point in the timeline (Early December 1989), the acting Interim President was Said Mohamed Djohar (27 November 1989 – 20 March 1990).

## Why it matters
Popular protest and the withdrawal of foreign support left Denard isolated and forced him to negotiate his departure.

Ruler at the Time: [Said Mohamed Djohar](https://allhistories.com/comoros/rulers/said-mohamed-djohar-1989)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — History of the Comoros (1978–2001)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Comoros_(1978–2001))
- [Wikipedia — Jean-Yves Ollivier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Yves_Ollivier)
- [Library of Congress Country Study — Comoros: The Abdallah Regime](https://countrystudies.us/comoros/6.htm)
- [Wikipedia — Independence, Soilih And The Mercenaries (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Comoros_(1978%E2%80%932001))