Former Ivorian President Henri Konan Bedie, has passed away at the age of 89, according to a close relative. Bedie served as president from 1993 until his removal in 1999 and later competed unsuccessfully against his longtime political rival, President Alassane Ouattara, in the 2020 elections when he was 86 years old.
The circumstances of Bedie’s death have not been disclosed, and his spokesperson could not be reached for comment. Throughout his political career, Bedie was both celebrated and criticized for his involvement in promoting the concept of “Ivoirite,” which focused on Ivorian identity.
This issue exacerbated tensions between individuals who considered themselves native to the south and east of the country, and the foreign workers from neighboring countries who had long settled in the north.
Henri Konan Bedie’s passing marks the end of an era for Ivory Coast, and his legacy will be remembered for his significant impact on the country’s political landscape.