Government troops, backed by African Union forces, regained control of Anjouan's capital this week after ousting Col. Mohamed Bacar, who had claimed the presidency of the Comoran island and spoken of seeking its independence.

In Paris, the ministry that manages France's overseas territories said Thursday that Bacar is now on Mayotte and that France is considering his request for asylum. The ministry did not say how Bacar reached Mayotte and said it had no further information that it could make public. Mayotte is 40 miles from Anjouan.