Africa Crushes Comoros Coup

The latest renegades to seize power in the Comoros Islands have been defeated, reports the Independent. Government and African Union troops regained control in an amphibious assault at sunrise yesterday. The island nation in the Indian Ocean has been rocked by more than 20 coups or coup attempts, many involving foreign mercenaries, since it gained independence from France in 1975.

The troops encountered some resistance but quickly captured the airport and major towns and were warmly greeted by residents, who had been living under the rule of a renegade colonel who declared himself the winner of disputed elections last year. The rebel leader was nowhere to be found yesterday. It was rumored he had escaped to sea in a canoe, disguised in women's clothing. (More Comoros stories.)