Frightened Comorians flee their troubled island

MORONI, June 23 (Reuters) Crammed into boats, hundreds of Comorians have fled their Indian Ocean island afraid of fighting between forces loyal to their rebellious leader and the national government, residents said today.

The federal government of the coup-prone archipelago has threatened military action on Anjouan, one of Comoros' three islands, whose leader won a June vote boycotted by five other candidates and unrecognised by the international community.

''I have left (Anjouan's main town) Mutsamudu because that's where all the trouble is happening,'' said Salim Sittina, 45, who fled to join her family on Grande Comore, the archipelago's largest island.

Residents say since the June 10 vote, two boats with a maximum 120 places have been leaving Anjouan daily -- laden with islanders carrying small bundles of essential items.

An African Union (AU) delegation, led by South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, was due in Comoros today to discuss the troubles in Anjouan, which last week inaugurated Mohamed Bacar as its president.

The AU and European Union have criticised the election which went ahead despite the national government's decision to delay it because of security concerns after Bacar's forces killed two federal soldiers in May.

Said Ali Athoumane, a local trade unionist, said he was afraid of political reprisals.

''I have used up all my savings to save my skin,'' he said, adding that he had been in hiding for three days before fleeing to the neighbouring island of Moheli.

The AU, like the European Union and the United States, has refused to recognise the Anjouan elections.

Comoros' federal government is hoping the roughly 300 AU soldiers and police -- already in Comoros to oversee polls on the other islands -- will be used for military intervention.

Each of Comoros' three islands, whose total population is 670,000, retain autonomy via local presidencies under the terms of a 2001 peace deal and share a rotating national presidency.

Last year's national presidential elections were Comoros' first peaceful transition of power since independence in 1975. It has suffered 19 coups or attempted coups since then.

Reuters AK GC1722