Former Ivory Coast president, Henri Konan Bedie is dead

Henri Konan Bedie, the former president of Ivory Coast and a nationalist figure, passed away at the age of 89, according to a statement issued by his party, the Ivory Coast Democratic Party-African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA). Bedie’s sudden death occurred in Abidjan on Tuesday, leaving the party deeply saddened by the loss.

Born in 1934 to a cocoa farmer family, Bedie’s political career began as he entered the French diplomatic service in 1959. He played a crucial role in Ivory Coast’s journey to independence, serving as the country’s ambassador to France after gaining independence in 1960. At the age of 32, he took charge of the economy during a period of rapid development, fueled by the growth of the coffee and cocoa industries, which have remained pivotal to the country’s economy.

Bedie was eventually chosen as the successor to Ivory Coast’s founding father, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, and became president from 1993 to 1999. His presidency was marked by the promotion of the concept of “Ivoirite” (Ivorian-ness), emphasizing a national identity and economy in a country with diverse ethnic groups. This nationalist stance favored individuals with two Ivorian parents over immigrants, leading to implications for many employees on the country’s cocoa farms.

Despite being deposed by the military in the country’s first coup in 1999, Bedie remained a significant political figure and continued to be at odds with other leaders, including current President Alassane Ouattara, for decades. He had not ruled out the possibility of standing in Ivory Coast’s next presidential election in 2025.

As news of Bedie’s passing spreads, the nation reflects on his political contributions and legacy, especially his impact on shaping Ivory Coast’s identity and economy.