Azali Assoumani facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Azali Assoumani
غزالي عثماني
Assoumani in 2023
President of the Comoros
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 April 2019
Preceded by	Moustadroine Abdou (acting)
In office 26 May 2016 – 13 February 2019
Vice President	Abdallah Said Sarouma Djaffar Ahmed Said Moustadroine Abdou
Preceded by	Ikililou Dhoinine
Succeeded by	Moustadroine Abdou (acting)
In office 26 May 2002 – 26 May 2006
Vice President	Caabi El-Yachroutu Mohamed Rachidi ben Massonde
Preceded by	Hamada Madi (interim)
Succeeded by	Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi
President of the Council of State of the Comoros
In office 30 April 1999 – 21 January 2002
Prime Minister	Bianrifi Tarmidi Hamada Madi
Preceded by	Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde (acting)
Succeeded by	Hamada Madi (acting)
21st Chairperson of the African Union
In office 18 February 2023 – 17 February 2024
Preceded by	Macky Sall
Succeeded by	Mohamed Ould Ghazouani
Personal details
Born	(1959-01-01) 1 January 1959 (age 66) Mitsoudjé, French Comoros
Political party	Convention for the Renewal of the Comoros
Spouse	Ambari Daroueche Assoumani
Profession	Senior military officer
Signature

Azali Assoumani (غزالي عثماني; born on January 1, 1959) is a politician and former military officer from the Comoros. He has served as the President of the Comoros multiple times. He was president from 2002 to 2006, and again since 2016. He also led the African Union as its Chairperson from February 2023 to February 2024.

Early Life and Training

Azali Assoumani was born in 1959 in Mitsoudjé, which was then part of the French Comoros. He received his military training at important academies. He studied at the Meknes Royal Military Academy in Morocco. Later, he also trained at the École de Guerre in Paris, France.

Becoming President

Assoumani first became a leader in the Comoros in 1999. He took control after a military takeover. At that time, he became the President of the Council of State of the Comoros. His troops said they acted to protect the country. This was because there were talks about the island of Anjouan wanting more independence.

In 2001, a new plan for the country's government was approved. This plan created a system where the presidency would rotate among the islands. It also gave more freedom to each Comorian island. The country's name was changed to the Union of the Comoros. The national flag was also redesigned to look as it does today.

Elections and Leadership

Assoumani held elections in 2002. He stepped down from his role as President of the Council of State to run for president. He won the election with a large number of votes. He officially became president on May 26, 2002.

During his time as president, there were some disagreements. This was about how much power the different islands should have. The constitution said that future presidents should come from different islands. So, after his term, Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi from Anjouan became president in 2006.

Assoumani ran for president again in 2016. He won the election after a third round of voting. He started his new five-year term on May 26, 2016. During this time, some people accused him of changing the constitution. They said these changes would allow him to stay in power longer.

In 2019, Assoumani resigned briefly to run for re-election. He won again and returned to office on April 3. He was re-elected for another term in 2024. After this election, his son, Nour El Fath, was given more powers in the government.

In September 2024, Assoumani was injured during an incident at a funeral. A soldier was arrested in connection with the event.

International Relations

Azali Assoumani has also played a role on the world stage. In 2022, he was invited to open the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He also met with Japanese Emperor Naruhito during a state funeral in Tokyo.

In July 2023, as the leader of the African Union, he attended a summit in Russia. At this meeting, leaders discussed ways to work together.

See also

In Spanish: Azali Assoumani para niños