The former Ivorian head of state, Henri Konan Bédié, also leader of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA) died on Tuesday August 1 in Abidjan, at the age of 89, following a faintness.
He fell ill in his stronghold in Daoukro (East) and could not survive, despite his emergency transfer to the Polyclinique internationale Sainte-Anne-Marie in Abidjan.
« In these hours of great sadness, we bow with respect to the memory of this Great Statesman, who spared no sacrifice for peace in Côte d’Ivoire and for the Greatness of our Nation that he so loved and served, and to which he gave his all,” his party said in a statement.
The PDCI-RDA sent its “most heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Henriette Bédié, to the large Bédié family, to all the militants of the party, as well as to all the people of Côte d’Ivoire”.
Henri Konan Bédié, nicknamed « HKB », was Ambassador to the United States, Minister of Economy and Finance and President of the National Assembly, before becoming the supreme magistrate in 1993, succeeding Félix Houphouët-Boigny (the father of the nation) after his death.
Overthrown by a putsch in 1999, he was again a presidential candidate in 2010, but without winning the ballot.
While waiting for the funeral, his remains were transferred to Ivosep, to the morgue, to Treichville, a cosmopolitan city in the south of Abidjan.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1273 of 02/08/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
