Former Ivory Coast President, Henri Konan Bedie dies

In a development that has reverberated Ivory Coast, the nation’s political landscape has been cast into a somber light with the passing of former President Henri Konan Bedie.

Henri Konan Bedie, a prominent figure in Ivory Coast’s politics had belonged to a generation of enduring politicians that held sway over the West African nation for decades.

Bedie’s passing at the age of 89 was confirmed by a close relative in a statement shared with Reuters on Tuesday.

Bedie’s imprint on Ivory Coast’s political history was indelible.

He served as the country’s president from 1993 until his removal in 1999, a period that was mixed with both progress and contention.

At the age of 86, he embarked on a formidable yet unsuccessful electoral campaign, that challenged his long-standing political adversary, President Alassane Ouattara, in the 2020 elections.

The circumstances surrounding Bedie’s passing is currently unknown however.

While his legacy encompasses a range of policies and actions, one enduring aspect of Bedie’s tenure was his promotion of the concept of “Ivoirite,” which emphasized Ivorian identity.