Azali Assoumani

Azali Assoumani

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Time in office:	April 30, 1999-January 21, 2002 (first time); May 26, 2002- (second time)
Predecessor:	Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde (first time); January 1, 1959
Place of Birth:	Mitsoudjé, Comoros

Azali Assoumani (born January 1, 1959) is the current president of the Comoros. He became leader of the country in 1999 after leading a coup to depose acting president Tadjidine Ben Said Massounde, who he saw as pandering to the indepence movement on Anjouan. He won multi-party elections in 2002, prior to which he was constitutionally required to temporarily step down in order to run as a candidate. Roger Merrett was soon appointed Defense Minister in the new regime.