On August 1, 2023, Côte d’Ivoire lost one of its political pillars with the death of former President Henri Konan Bédié, at the age of 89. Immediately, tributes poured in from all sides, both on social networks and in the political sphere.
On social networks, many Internet users have expressed their gratitude to the ex-president. Some hailed his role in the Ivorian economic miracle and in the return of stability to the country. Others considered Henri Konan Bédié as a member of their family, as he had marked their local life with his political longevity.
The tributes were also expressed in images, with photos and portraits retracing the political journey of this “Ivorian dinosaur”. We can see pictures of him wearing his Mao collar suits, as well as photos of him and his wife Henriette.
The Ivorian presidency also paid tribute to the former president, hailing his contribution as a great servant of the state, a leading political figure and faithful companion of the father of the Ivorian nation, Félix Houphouët-Boigny. President Alassane Ouattara underlined Bédié’s deep love for his country and his dedication during his various posts in the administration.
The main political parties in Côte d’Ivoire have also expressed their regret at this loss. Pascal Affi N’Guessan, president of the FPI, called Bédié “a falling baobab”, underlining his role as a unifier and his ability to forgive. Within Laurent Gbagbo’s PPA-CI, the political agreement with Bédié is still in force, and his spokesperson, Justin Koné Katinan, hailed his economic initiatives and his commitment to the country’s development. The RHDP party, meanwhile, stressed the importance of the Sphinx in the creation of their party and recalled their commitment to the Houphouetist philosophy.
In short, the death of Henri Konan Bédié has aroused many tributes and expressions of respect across Côte d’Ivoire. His political longevity and his contribution to the development of the country will remain engraved in the collective memory. He leaves behind a political legacy and a void that will be difficult to fill