Leaders of Coup Control Comoros

Foreign mercenaries and army rebels who toppled the government of the Comoro Islands were reported firmly in control Saturday as life edged back toward normal in the archipelago off Africa’s eastern coast.

With increasing desperation, the overthrown government and an opposition party appealed for international help in driving out the mercenaries. But none appeared forthcoming.

Mercenaries led by Bob Denard, a 66-year-old Frenchman, seized power Thursday and captured the president. On Friday, they announced that they had formed a military committee to rule the country temporarily. They said they planned free elections.

A statement from the committee said that people in Moroni, the capital, demonstrated “in joy and calm” in support of the coup.

Halima Darwish, a spokeswoman for the opposition Democratic Front of the Comoros, said, however, that people demonstrated against the mercenaries “and I understand more demonstrations are planned.”

But she said the coup leaders appeared in complete control in Moroni and that there was no evidence of resistance elsewhere. Shops and some offices were opened Saturday, people were going on with their business and the airport was open.

Tourists who were evacuated Saturday on a flight to South Africa said some islanders approved of the overthrow of President Said Mohamed Djohar.

“They were quite glad that they had a coup,” said Don McKenzie, 50, of Zimbabwe. “They said that the president was totally corrupt and the people were losing out.”

Most of the 206 tourists had stayed at a beach resort 30 miles from the capital and saw no sign of unrest.

France, the former colonial ruler of the impoverished islands between Madagascar and Mozambique, has condemned the coup, as have the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity.

France has cut off all economic aid to the Comoros, which last year totaled $20 million. The United States also suspended its aid to the islands--about $375,000--and urged restoration of the elected government.

The coup leaders said Friday that Djohar, who was being held at the main military base in Moroni, was safe and in good health.

The Comoros, with three main islands, have 500,000 residents and attract more than 17,000 tourists a year, mostly from France and South Africa, who come for the beaches, fishing and mountain scenery.

Denard, who had effectively ruled the Comoros from 1978 to 1989, was forced out by French troops after the assassination of President Ahmed Abdallah.

Since 1961, Denard has been involved in uprisings in the Belgian Congo, Nigeria, Angola, Rhodesia, Iran and Yemen.