The Comoros Islands have been on the verge of civil war for  a year. It looks like a settlement is near. Leaders from the separatist island of Anjouan, representatives from the Comoran military government, and several members of the Comoran opposition signed a new accord to end the conflict. The agreements calls for a New Comoran Ensemble, reintegrating Anjouan into the Comoran state, the end of military rule, and a new constitution. The Comoran federal government will be responsible for defense, foreign relations, and the currency. The three main Comoran islands (Grande Comore, Moheli and Anjouan) will have more control over their own finances. The Organization for African Unity (OAU) sponsored the talks. The crisis began in 1997 when Anjou declared independence.