The RND was established on 6 October 1996 as a merger of the National Union for Democracy in the Comoros, Maecha Bora, Realising Freedom's Capability, the Comorian Union for Progress and the Rally for Democracy and Renewal.[1] The founding of the RND had been suggested by President Mohamed Taki Abdoulkarim in August 1996 following his victory in the presidential elections earlier in the year.[2]