Former president of Comoros and a critic of president Azali Assoumani has been placed under house arrest in order to “preserve” public order, according to the Interior Ministry.

A statement from the Interior ministry said, the decision was taken due to the action of Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, in recent days and that if he needs to travel, an application must be submitted to the department responsible for public security.

On Friday, Sambi and Azali met in the great mosque for prayers. Reports say at the end of the religious service, Sambi’s supporters booed the incumbent president.