Comoros President Azali Assoumani injured in knife attack: Video
Comoros President Azali Assoumani was slightly wounded in a knife attack while attending a funeral on Friday, government officials say.
The attacker, who has been arrested, was identified as a 22-year-old army recruit with no prior criminal history.
The incident occurred in Salimani-Itsandra, a suburb of the capital city of Moroni, during the funeral of a prominent religious leader. Witnesses reported that the assailant, dressed in a traditional boubou, was standing in the room with the religious leader's body when he lunged at the president, injuring his hand. A fellow mourner swiftly intervened and subdued the attacker, the AFP reports.
The Comorian Minister of Energy Aboubacar Said Anli, reassured the public that President Assoumani's life was not in danger. "The president was the victim of an attack that we describe as undignified and barbaric. And the president is doing very well, his health is not in danger. He was admitted to the military health service, he was treated and is doing well, he is at home," Anli said.
A government statement confirmed that the president's injuries were minor and that the security services were handling the situation.
