Comoros President Azali Assoumani Injured in Knife Attack at Funeral, Attacker Arrested

Comoros President Azali Assoumani was slightly injured in a knife attack on Friday while attending the funeral of a prominent religious leader, according to an official statement from the presidency. The attacker, who was immediately apprehended, is now in the custody of security services.

The statement confirmed President Assoumani sustained minor injuries and has since returned home. “The President of the Republic, Azali Assoumani, was slightly wounded by a knife while attending the funeral,” the statement said. “His injuries are not serious, and he has returned home. The attacker is in the hands of the security services.”

Government spokeswoman Fatima Ahamadael provided more details, saying the incident took place in Salimani-Itsandra, a district near the capital city of Moroni. She reassured the public that the president’s life was not in danger but declined to give further information about the attack.

Witnesses described the attacker as a 22-year-old soldier with no prior criminal history. He had joined the army in 2022 and was dressed in a traditional boubou during the funeral.

The witnesses said the attacker was in the room with the body of the religious leader when he lunged at the president, injuring his hand. Another mourner quickly intervened to stop the attacker.

Speaking anonymously, a source close to the presidency confirmed that the president had received medical attention and was “out of danger.” Another anonymous source stated that the attacker was an active-duty gendarme. No further details about the attacker’s motives were immediately available.

Following the attack, security remained tight in the neighbourhood, with gendarmes stationed there. Residents were seen returning home, some gathering in small groups to discuss the shocking incident.

Azali Assoumani, 65, a former military leader who first came to power in a 1999 coup, was re-elected in January after a disputed election that sparked deadly protests. Critics have accused him of increasingly authoritarian behaviour.

In August, Azali further consolidated power within his family by granting new authority to his eldest son, Nour El Fath Azali, who was appointed secretary general of Comoros in July.

The move elevated his son’s role to de facto prime minister, requiring him to approve all decrees issued by ministers and governors.

Azali’s re-election in January was marred by allegations of fraud, with opponents challenging the results in court. Those challenges were ultimately dismissed. The aftermath of the election saw violence, resulting in the death of one person and several injuries.

The political landscape in Comoros remains tense, with Azali’s main rival, former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, currently serving a life sentence for high treason. Sambi was convicted of allegedly selling Comoros passports in exchange for millions of dollars.