KEY POINTS
- President Azali Assoumani is recovering after a knife attack by a policeman.
- The attacker, Ahmed Abdou, was found dead in his cell the next day.
- Authorities are investigating both the motive for the attack and Abdou’s death.
Comoros President Azali Assoumani is recovering after a knife attack by a policeman during a funeral on Friday. The attacker, identified as 24-year-old officer Ahmed Abdou, targeted the president in Salimani Itsandra, a town north of the capital Moroni. Assoumani received only minor injuries and is now “out of danger,” according to officials.
During a press conference on Saturday, Energy Minister Aboubacar Saïd Anli reassured the public, saying, “The president is doing well. He has no health problems, and he is out of danger.” Assoumani received a few stitches following the attack but has otherwise fully recovered.
Details of the attack on Comoros President
Reuters reported that the incident occurred around 2 p.m. local time while the Comoros president attended a funeral. It remains unclear why Abdou, who had gone on leave two days earlier, carried out the attack. Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the attack, which has left the small island nation in shock.
After the attack, Abdou was arrested and placed in custody. However, a troubling turn of events followed. On Saturday morning, police officers found Abdou dead in his cell. Public prosecutor Ali Mohamed Djounaid confirmed his death during a separate press conference. “Investigators found him lying on the ground, lifeless,” Djounaid said, adding that an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of Abdou’s death and the reasons for the attack.
A time of political tension
This incident happened at a time when political tensions in Comoros were running high. In May, Assoumani was sworn in for his fourth term as president following a contested election in January. His opponents have accused him of voter fraud, but the government denies these allegations.
Many in Comoros are waiting for the results of the investigation as authorities look into both the attack and the sudden death of Abdou. The situation has raised concerns about security for public officials, as well as potential unrest.
