Azali Assoumani, born January 1, 1959, is a Comorian politician who has served as the President of the Comoros several times. He first came to power in 1999 through a coup d'état and has since held office in different periods, most recently after winning the 2016 presidential election.

Azali began his military career by studying at the Royal Military Academy of Morocco. He climbed through the ranks of the Comorian army, eventually becoming the chief of staff. In 1999, Assoumani staged a coup, ousting interim president Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde. This action marked the beginning of his first term as president. His coup was largely supported due to a power struggle and the increasing tensions between the islands of the Comoros, particularly Anjouan, which declared secession in 1997.

Azali initially pledged to restore civilian rule, and in 2001, a new constitution was passed, which sought to reconcile the country by providing each of the main islands with greater autonomy. This constitution was a result of the Fomboni Accords, negotiated to reduce secessionist tendencies. Under this framework, Azali was elected president in 2002 through a democratic election. However, his tenure from 2002 to 2006 was marked by challenges such as economic difficulties and internal political tensions.

After completing his term in 2006, Assoumani stepped down, as the new constitution mandated a rotating presidency between the islands of the Comoros. He remained active in politics and ran for president again in 2016. Azali won the 2016 presidential election, after a contested vote that required a second round. In this term, he embarked on a series of reforms and continued efforts to develop the nation’s infrastructure and economy.

In 2018, Assoumani organized a controversial referendum that led to the extension of his presidential term. The new constitution allowed him to potentially remain in power until 2029 by removing the rotating presidency system and permitting two consecutive terms. This referendum and subsequent changes led to significant opposition, both domestically and internationally. Nevertheless, in 2019, Azali was re-elected amid opposition boycotts and claims of electoral irregularities.

Azali’s leadership has been characterized by attempts to stabilize the country, improve the economy, and reduce poverty. However, his political career has also faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies and accusations of undermining democratic institutions.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azali_Assoumani