By Noel Ebrin Brou, ABIDJAN Côte d'Ivoire
Ivory Coast's former president Henri Konan Bédié has died aged 89 in hospital in Abidjan, a member of his party's communications team said in a statement late on Tuesday.
Bédié succeeded Ivory Coast's
post-colonial founding father, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, serving as president
from 1993 to 1999 when he was overthrown by the military in the country's
first-ever coup.
Despite being born into a
relatively poor family, he excelled at school and was picked to study in France
where he gained a doctorate in economics.
He attempted to return to
power three years ago but was defeated by his long-time political rival
President Alassane Ouattara.
The cause of Mr Bédié‘a death
is unknown.
His death will be felt as a
big loss for the whole country.
Despite his rivalry with
President Ouattara, he was mostly seen as a wise man who always cherished peace
and an advocate for national unity.
Many Ivorians are paying tribute
to him on social media.
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