Comoros president ‘slightly injured’ and ‘out of danger’ after knife attack by police officer

ZIMSPHERE 

THE president of Comoros Azali Assoumani was "slightly injured" after suffering a knife attack on Friday as he was attending the funeral of a religious leader in Salimani Itsandra, a town just north of the capital Moroni. He was attacked by a 24-year-old police officer who was found dead in his cell a day later, authorities said. The suspect was identified as Ahmed Abdou. 

Comoros’ President Azali Assoumani waves as he is escorted by Chinese officials upon arrival at the Beijing Capital International Airport, in Beijing, on Sept. 1, 2024. [Image: AP Photo/Andy Wong]

Authorities said the president did not suffer lethal injuries and that he had returned home. The energy minister said that the president is "out of danger" and that "he has no health problems" after he was given "a few stitches". 

The police officer who attacked him, Abdou, took a leave on Wednesday before proceeding to carry out his attack on Friday. His motive for attacking the president has not yet been established. He carried out the attack using a kitchen knife.

A civilian was also injured during the melee while trying to provide protection the president, government minister Aboubacar Said Anli said.

“The president’s security agents immediately subdued the young man and handed him over to investigators,” public prosecutor Ali Mohamed Djounaid said. He said that an investigation is now underway to ascertain the motive of the attack and the cause of the suspect's death. 

In May, President Assoumani assumed a fourth term in office following a fiercely contested January election which his opponents claim was marred by voter fraud. However, officials deny these allegations. 

(with news agencies)