In a statement, Comoros President Azali Assoumani has publicly confirmed his plans to transfer power to his son, Nour El Fath, when his term ends in 2029. This marks the first time Assoumani has openly acknowledged the succession, fueling long-held suspicions that he has been positioning his son to take over the presidency. The move has sparked significant controversy, with critics accusing the president of attempting to establish a dynastic regime in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
Assoumani, who was re-elected in 2024 amid allegations of electoral fraud, had previously appointed El Fath to oversee government operations, granting him considerable power over the country’s cabinet. This further fueled speculation about the president’s intentions for dynastic rule.
Speaking to supporters on the island of Moheli, Assoumani declared, “When the time comes for me to step down, I will place my son in my position as head of state and leader of the party.” While El Fath has not yet commented directly on his father’s statement, he has previously insisted that Comoros is not a monarchy, despite the apparent succession plan.
Assoumani’s ruling party claimed a decisive victory in the most recent parliamentary elections, though the election process was marred by allegations of fraud. Opposition parties either boycotted the vote or rejected the results, further deepening political divides in the country.
Opposition spokesperson Abdallah Mohamed Daoudou criticized Assoumani’s statement, saying, “This only confirms what we already knew. But the president is deluding himself—Comoros’ people and politicians will not accept a dynastic system.” Comoros, with a population of approximately 800,000, has experienced political instability since its independence from France in 1975, including nearly 20 coups and attempted coups.
Assoumani, who first rose to power through a coup in 1999, has won four elections since then. The 2018 constitutional amendments, which extended the presidential term rotation between the country’s three main islands from five years to 10, would prevent El Fath from succeeding his father at the end of the current presidential term unless further changes to the constitution are made.
As Comoros stands at a crossroads, questions about the future of the nation’s leadership continue to arise.