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#617 | Bob Denard: The Mercenary Who Ruled the Comoros (English Listening Practice)

#617 | Bob Denard: The Mercenary Who Ruled the Comoros (English Listening Practice)

Author: Leonardo English June 19, 2026 Duration: 25:10
English Learning for Curious Minds | A More Interesting Way To Learn English
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In 1975, a French mercenary landed in the Comoros, a chain of small islands off East Africa, and decided he was going to run the place. 

Bob Denard staged four coups, converted to Islam, built a farm, and controlled the country from the shadows for over a decade. 

It was a story of Cold War deals, shifting loyalties, and one last coup that ended his run. 

  • Location and poverty of the Comoros Islands
  • French rule and 1975 independence under Ahmed Abdallah
  • First coup by French mercenary Robert Denard
  • Denard's mercenary past and French Africa links
  • Ali Soilih's radical rule and the Moissy youth militia
  • 1978 coup restores Abdallah and Soilih killed
  • Denard becomes Comorian farmer and leads Presidential Guard
  • 1989 power struggle and suspicious death of Ahmed Abdallah
  • 1995 final coup and French Operation Azalee intervention
  • Denard's trial and death in 2007


 Full interactive transcript, subtitles and key vocabulary available on the website: https://www.leonardoenglish.com/podcasts/bob-denard


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Keywords: Learn English, vocabulary, lessons, idioms, aprende inglés, idiomas, aprender inglês, apprendre l'anglais, imparare l’inglese, ingilizce öğren,英語を習う, تعلم الإنجليزية


If your language studies could use a dose of fascination, English Learning for Curious Minds might just be what you're looking for. Created by Leonardo English, this podcast is designed for intermediate to advanced learners who are tired of dry textbooks and repetitive exercises. Instead, each episode dives into a curiously compelling topic-you might explore the history of forgotten inventions, unravel mysteries of ancient cultures, or discuss surprising scientific discoveries. The conversation is deliberately paced for comprehension, allowing you to absorb natural pronunciation and complex vocabulary in context. To support your learning, every episode includes an interactive transcript, subtitles, and key vocabulary lists. It’s this blend of genuine intellectual curiosity and practical learning tools that has built a global community, with listeners tuning in from 189 different countries. The result is a genuinely engaging way to build fluency, where improving your English feels less like a chore and more like a series of fascinating conversations about the weird and wonderful aspects of our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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