Comoros president slightly injured in knife attack at funeral

The president of Comoros, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, sustained “slight injuries” in a knife attack during a religious leader’s funeral on Friday, according to his office. A bystander who tried to protect President Azali Assoumani was also injured.

The president’s injuries were not severe, and he has since returned home. The attacker has been apprehended by security forces, though details about their identity and the circumstances of the attack remain undisclosed. The incident occurred in Salimani, near the capital city of Moroni.

Government minister Aboubacar Said Anli reported that a civilian was injured while trying to shield the president, but there is no immediate information on the severity of these injuries.

Assoumani, who was reelected in January amid allegations of election fraud, has faced political unrest, including a fatality linked to the post-election turmoil. The 65-year-old former military officer first seized power in a 1999 coup and has since served multiple terms. He recently extended his presidency into a fourth term by altering the constitution, removing term limits, and ending a rotational presidency system. His administration has been criticized for cracking down on dissent and banning peaceful protests.

Comoros, an archipelago off Africa’s east coast, has experienced numerous coups and attempted coups since gaining independence from France in 1975.

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