President of Comoros survives an assassination attempt by a soldier

An attempted assassination of President Azali Assoumani of Comoros occurred on Friday during the funeral ceremonies for the grand sheik. The former colonel was stabbed in the head by a young soldier. The attack is most likely a result of the immense tensions surrounding the president since the May elections.

The President of the Union of Comoros, 65-year-old Azali Assoumani, was injured in the head during an attack by a young soldier armed with a knife, government spokeswoman Fatima Ahamada informed on Friday. She added that the assailant had been apprehended.

Assoumani was injured on Friday in Salimani Itsandra, a town north of the capital Moroni, where he was attending the funeral of the grand sheik of Comoros.

The assassination attempt on Assoumani is most likely the result of the immense tension currently experienced by the inhabitants of Comoros. Assoumani is a controversial figure, surrounded by many controversies and tensions. Particularly noteworthy for the president's opponents is the fact that the attack was carried out by a young soldier.

Former Colonel Azali Assoumani came to power in 1999 as a result of a military coup. In May this year, he was sworn in for a fourth term following January’s elections, which according to his opponents, were rigged, leading to two days of bloody riots.

The Union of Comoros, located in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa, consists of three islands: Grande Comore, Anjouan, and Moheli. It has approximately 870,000 inhabitants, many of whom are vehemently opposed to the current government.

President Azali Assoumani was slightly injured by a knife while attending a funeral. His injuries are not serious — added the government spokeswoman.