The man who attacked Comoros President Azali Assoumani with a knife on Friday has been found dead in prison, according to authorities. The incident occurred during a funeral for a prominent religious leader and resulted in an injury to President Assoumani’s hand.
National prosecutor Ali Mohamed Djounaid reported that the attacker was isolated in a cell after his arrest. On Saturday morning, prison officials found his lifeless body in the cell. “A doctor declared him dead. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of his death,” Djounaid said during a press conference in the capital, Moroni.
President Assoumani is reported to be in stable condition with no significant health issues, having received a few stitches for his injury. Energy Minister Aboubacar Saïd Anli confirmed the president’s well-being and addressed the press conference attended by nearly all government ministers.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are investigating the incident. The attacker has been identified as Ahmed Abdou, a 24-year-old soldier. Witnesses stated that Abdou injured the president’s hand before being subdued by a mourner.
President Azali, who initially came to power in a 1999 military coup, was re-elected in January 2024 following a controversial election marked by allegations of ballot stuffing and subsequent protests. Azali served as president of the African Union between 2023 and 2024.
