Moroni, Comoros – Comoros President Azali Assoumani has significantly expanded the authority of his son, Nour El Fath, raising eyebrows and fueling speculation about a potential dynastic succession in the Indian Ocean archipelago.
In a presidential decree issued on Tuesday, El Fath, who was appointed Secretary-General of the government last month, was granted sweeping new powers, including the ability to oversee ministerial performance and intervene in all government decision-making processes.
The move has sparked criticism from political opponents who accuse Assoumani of grooming his son as a successor. Franco-Comorian lawyer Saïd Larifou described the development as a clear indication of Assoumani’s intentions.
El Fath, a 40-year-old former economic advisor to his father, has yet to publicly comment on the matter.
The Comoros, a nation with a history of political instability, has experienced numerous coups since gaining independence from France in 1975. Assoumani himself came to power through a coup in 1999 and has since won four elections.
Constitutional reforms implemented in 2018 extended the presidential term rotation between the three main islands from five to ten years, complicating any potential succession plans for El Fath.
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