Mr Dhoinine's victory marks the first time that a Mohélian politician has won the presidency since the country's independence from France in 1975. As such, it marks the fulfilment of the terms of the country's 2001 constitution-designed to address secessionist tensions and protracted political instability-under which the federal presidency rotates every four years between Grand Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli. Indeed, it was Mohélian suspicion that the island would be deprived of its "turn" at the presidency that led to riots on the island when Mr Sambi sought to extend his term from May 2010 until November 2011 (June 2010, The political scene).

Mr Dhoinine is due to be inaugurated on May 26th. The fact that he is clearly Mr Sambi's preferred choice should minimise the likelihood of any attempts by the existing administration to delay the transfer of power, and the attendant risks of increased political tensions (December 2010, The political scene). It should also minimise strains between the two men during the three-month transition period. However, this is not guaranteed: Mr Dhoinine may well want to introduce his own appointees to key posts, whereas Mr Sambi may wish to retain advisers if-as opponents believe-he wants to wield a strong influence behind the scenes. In addition, the very fact that Mr Dhoinine is so closely associated with Mr Sambi-who described the president-elect as "the only one capable of continuing what I began. He's a patriot and an upright man who will not be tempted by corruption"-suggests that he will face opposition from those suspicious of his predecessor. This in turn suggests that there is unlikely to be an immediate end to the inter-island rivalries and suspicions that have long dogged Comorian policymaking.