Azali Assoumani

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Azali Assoumani

Role / Field:

Comorian politician and military officer, serving as President of the Comoros.

Born:

1959-01-01

Century / Era:

1959s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Azali Assoumani (Arabic: غزالي عثماني; born 1 January 1959) is a Comorian politician and military officer who has served as the seventh President of the Comoros from 2002 to 2006 and again since 2016, except for a brief period in 2019. He became head of state after staging a coup d'état in 1999 and was elected president in 2002, 2016, 2019 and 2024. He also served as Chairperson of the African Union from February 2023 to February 2024. Assoumani's current presidency has been described as increasingly authoritarian.

Key Developments & Impact

Born in 1959 in Mitsoudjé, French Comoros, Assoumani trained at the Meknes Royal Military Academy in Morocco and the École de Guerre in Paris. Assoumani became the President of the Council of State of the Comoros in 1999 after overthrowing interim president Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde in a coup d'état. His troops justified the coup on the basis of protecting territorial integrity after Massounde had begun negotiations with representatives of the island of Anjouan for greater autonomy or independence. This was despite the fact that an international conference in Antananarivo had resulted in a settlement on the matter between the three...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1959 (1959-01-01): Birth of Azali Assoumani — Comorian politician and military officer, serving as President of the Comoros.
2. 1999: 1999 Milestone — He became head of state after staging a coup d'état in 1999 and was elected president in 2002, 2016, 2019 and 2024.
3. 2023: 2023 Milestone — He also served as Chairperson of the African Union from February 2023 to February 2024.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Azali Assoumani

True or False: “Azali Assoumani's initial coup d'état in 1999 was solely aimed at securing greater autonomy for Anjouan Island.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The coup was justified on the basis of protecting the overall territorial integrity of the Comoros, not just Anjouan's autonomy.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Flexner — Contemporary (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering American educator known for reforming US and Canadian medical and higher education.
• Ahlam Mosteghanemi — Contemporary (Born in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Algerian poet and novelist, celebrated for her evocative Arabic literature.
• Albert Namatjira — Contemporary (Died in 1959) (1959): Pioneering Arrernte painter, famous for Western-influenced watercolour depictions of the Australian outback.
• Abdul Basit 'Abd us-Samad — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (1927): Renowned Egyptian Quran reciter, celebrated for his melodious and emotionally engaging style.
• Adonis (poet) — Shared historical date (01-01 · Born) (1930): Pioneering Syrian poet, essayist, and translator who revolutionized modern Arabic verse.
• Alfonso López Pumarejo — Historical peer (Died in 1959) (1959): Colombian politician and economist, known for progressive reforms and serving two non-consecutive presidential terms.
• Ali Bongo — Historical peer (Born in 1959) (1959): Gabonese politician who served as President from 2009 until his 2023 coup.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Aileen Wuornos — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): American serial killer known for murdering seven male clients in Florida.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• 1959 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1959
• January 1 (01-01) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 1

Frequently Asked Questions about Azali Assoumani