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Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Former Ivory Coast president dies aged 89

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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