Azali Assoumani took the oath for a fourth term as president of the Comoros on May 26, 2024, in a 10,000-seat stadium in Moroni that was only partly filled. His opponents stayed away.
Assoumani, 65, spoke in a conciliatory register. “On this symbolic day, I reiterate my appeal to all the living forces of the nation, the political class, both in power and in opposition, to come together on the essentials in favour of national harmony,” he said. Cameroon Tribune quoted him adding, “I will not disappoint you,” and setting a goal of 5% annual economic growth.
A disputed mandate
The ceremony closed out a process that began with a January vote. Official results gave Assoumani 63% of the ballots. Opposition figures alleged ballot stuffing and said voting was halted before the official closing time. The government and the electoral commission rejected the claims, and the court threw out lawsuits seeking to annul the result as inadmissible.
Protests followed. One person died, and Cameroon Tribune put the injured at more than 25 in the country of about 870,000 people.
AFP reported that none of Assoumani’s five rivals had formally congratulated him. Presidents Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo and the leaders of Madagascar, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and Angola attended. Some spectators called the event “dull.”
From coup to ballot box
Assoumani first took power in a 1999 coup and handed over to civilians in 2006. He came back to politics and won re-election in 2016. Critics accuse him of creeping authoritarianism; his arch-rival, former president Ahmed Abdallah Sambi, received a life sentence for high treason over allegations of selling passports.
Sources
- Comoros President Sworn In for Fourth Term (AFP, via VOA Africa)
- Comoros: President Azali Assoumani Sworn In (Cameroon Tribune)
