Rita Odafe
President Azali Assoumani
The President of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, sustained injuries in a knife attack while he was at a funeral close to Moroni, the capital of the country.
Fatima Ahamada, the government spokesperson, mentioned that the president was “slightly injured” and has since returned to his residence.
“Thankfully, his life is not in danger,” Ahamada informed Reuters, adding that the individual responsible for the attack has been apprehended, although the reason behind the assault is still unknown.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that the assailant may be a young police officer.
Assoumani came to power following a coup in 1999 and later returned to the presidency in a controversial election in 2016, after a decade away from office. He recently won re-election in January, a process that faced accusations of election fraud and triggered widespread protests.
His leadership has been criticized for increasing authoritarianism, which has heightened political tensions across Comoros. As further information about the incident is revealed, concerns regarding security and the political situation in the nation remain prominent.
