Azali Assoumani: Comoros President stabbed to death at funeral

• Comoros President Azali Assoumani was injured in a knife attack during a funeral in Salimani Itsandra. However, his injuries are said to be minor and he is in a stable condition.
• The attacker, a 22-year-old military officer, stabbed Assoumani in the hand before being held by a mourner; the motive for the attack remains unclear
• The incident occurred as mourners paid their last respects to a deceased religious leader, and the attacker, dressed in a boubou
• Authorities are investigating the attack. The attacker has been identified as a fresh recruit in the army with no criminal record.

Didacus Malowa, journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Comorian President Azali Assoumani was injured in a knife attack while attending a funeral in Salimani Itsandra, north of the capital Moroni.

According to government spokeswoman Fatima Ahamada, the shocking incident occurred on Friday, September 13.

Ahamada confirmed that Assoumani suffered minor injuries and was now out of danger.

“President Azali Assoumani was lightly stabbed during the funeral of a major sheikh of the country. His injuries are not serious and he has returned home,” Ahamada said, according to Voice of America.

How did the attack on Assoumani come about?

The BBC reported that the attack occurred as mourners gathered to pay their last respects to the late religious leader.

According to witnesses, the attacker, a 22-year-old military officer with no criminal record, was dressed in a boubou and taken to the room where the body lay.

The attacker managed to stab the president in the hand before he was overpowered by another mourner.

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A source close to the president, who spoke on condition of anonymity, assured that the president had received medical attention and was out of danger.

The motive for the attack is still unclear and authorities are continuing to investigate.

However, a source revealed that the attacker, who joined the army in 2022, was an active paramilitary police officer.

Who killed Tom Mboya?

In his homeland, a 92-year-old man claimed to have been involved in the murder of former minister Tom Mboya.

The man claimed that he, along with two other men allied with KANU, were paid by a person he declined to name to track down and assassinate the former minister.

The Criminal Investigation Directorate has launched an investigation and announced that it will take the necessary measures once the investigation is completed.

Source: TUKO.co.ke