(Comoros) – President Azali Assoumani had a bit of an unexpected encounter—this time not with political opponents or rival parties, but with a sharp blade. The leader of the volcanic archipelago, known for surviving political tempests, coups, and even the odd cyclone, was wounded in a knife attack on the outskirts of Moroni, specifically in the peaceful (well, not so peaceful now) suburb of Salimani-Itsandra.
According to Fatima Ahamadael, the government spokeswoman who rushed to control the narrative faster than a dhow racing against the tide, “The head of state was a victim of an attack in Salimani-Itsandra.” Now, let us not get too excited; before you imagine a dramatic duel worthy of a Swahili pirate movie, she quickly reassured everyone that it was more of a “slight injury.”
Two other sources, not to be outdone, elaborated further, claiming that Assoumani had been “stabbed.” It is unclear whether this was a calculated political move or just an unlucky kitchen accident gone wrong, but what is certain is that the president walked away from the altercation with a minor wound. Given that Assoumani has already survived several terms in office, this latest “stabbing” feels more like a scratch in the grand scheme of things.
For those unfamiliar with the long and winding politics of Comoros, President Azali Assoumani is no stranger to the art of survival. His rise and rise in politics can be likened to the Comorian fable of the trickster chameleon—slow, steady, and always blending in to outwit its enemies. Azali first took the throne (read: presidency) back in 1999, following a military coup, proving that you do not just win elections in Comoros—you win them with flair.
Now in 2024, as the incumbent and the presidential candidate for the Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros (CRC) party, he is still standing tall, or at least he was until this unfortunate knife incident. It seems even the sharpest of blades cannot dull the political edge of this man who has more lives than a cat navigating the island’s volcanic cliffs.
This incident took place in the quiet neighborhood of Salimani-Itsandra, a place not particularly known for stabbings but more for the aromatic scent of ylang-ylang in the breeze and the gentle hum of people going about their business. Maybe it was a political rival trying to pull an ill timed publicity stunt, or perhaps just someone who took an argument a tad too far after a heated debate over the best coconut rice recipe.
If there IS one thing Comorians know, it IS how to make a big deal out of something small. After all, this is the land where a family gathering turns into a 300 person village feast, where everyone’s cousin’s cousin has a say in the matter, and where local gossip spreads faster than you can say “vanilla beans.” So, it is no wonder the news of the president’s knife wielding attacker sent shockwaves across the archipelago.
While President Assoumani was quick to recover, there is no denying that this incident has sparked a wave of concern, though more likely because everyone is wondering who could be daring enough to attempt something so bold.
