MORONI—Comoros president Azali Assoumani is reported to be “out of danger” after sustaining injuries in a knife attack by a 24-year-old policeman who was later found dead in his cell, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The incident took place around 2 p.m. local time (1100 GMT) on Friday in Salimani Itsandra, a town just north of the capital Moroni.
“The president is in stable condition. He has no serious health concerns and is out of danger. He received a few stitches,” stated energy minister Aboubacar Saïd Anli during a press conference in Moroni.
Azali was attacked while attending a funeral, according to the presidency. The motive behind the attack remains unknown.
The attacker, Ahmed Abdou, had taken leave on Wednesday before carrying out the assault on Friday.
After being apprehended, Abdou was placed in a cell. However, “Saturday morning, when investigators went to check on him, they discovered him lifeless on the floor,” said Ali Mohamed Djounaid, Comoros’ public prosecutor, at a separate press briefing.
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An investigation is underway to determine the motive behind the attack and the circumstances of the attacker’s death.
In May, Assoumani was inaugurated for a fourth term in office after a contentious January election marred by allegations of voter fraud from his opponents. Authorities have refuted these claims.
By Abdou Moustoifa
