Comoros President Azali Assoumani was wounded in a knife attack, according to officials. The president was attending a funeral near the capital, Moroni, when the attack occurred. A government spokeswoman, Fatima Ahamada, confirmed that the president was only “slightly injured” and his life was not in danger. He has since returned home, and the attacker, reportedly a young military officer, has been arrested.
Witnesses told the AFP agency that the attacker, dressed in a robe, was among those paying their respects at the funeral. The president sustained a hand injury before the attacker was stopped by a mourner. The motive for the attack remains unclear.
President Azali first came to power in a 1999 military coup. After a break from office, he won a contested election in 2016 and was re-elected in January, amid allegations of ballot tampering and protests. He also served as president of the African Union between 2023 and 2024.
