Title: Henri Konan Bédié, an indisputable political icon of Côte d’Ivoire bows out
Introduction :
Former Ivorian President Henri Konan Bédié has died at the age of 89, leaving behind an undeniable political legacy. An emblematic figure on the Ivorian political scene, he occupied a prominent place within his party, the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), and left his mark on the history of the country. In this article, we will return to the career of this renowned politician and the impact he had on the Ivorian political scene.
The political career of Henri Konan Bédié:
Henri Konan Bédié held various political positions throughout his career. He was notably Minister of the Economy and Finance, then Vice-President of the Republic under the presidency of Félix Houphouët-Boigny. In 1993, he became president of Côte d’Ivoire following the death of his predecessor.
Ivoirité, a controversy which marked his mandate:
One of the highlights of Henri Konan Bédié’s political career is undoubtedly the debate around Ivoirianness. He introduced this concept which caused controversy and deeply divided the country. Ivoirité aimed to define the eligibility criteria for the presidency by requiring that candidates be born to Ivorian parents. This policy has been criticized for being discriminatory and has led to political polarization.
The political legacy of Henri Konan Bédié:
Despite the controversies surrounding Ivoirianness, Henri Konan Bédié left an important political legacy. He was able to maintain his influence within the PDCI and was considered one of the “big three” political actors in Côte d’Ivoire, alongside Laurent Gbagbo and Alassane Ouattara. His party, the PDCI, has been a pillar of the Ivorian political scene, and despite internal struggles, it is expected to survive the death of its founder.
A maker of kings and an actor of national reconciliation:
Henri Konan Bédié was recognized for his ability to influence election results. He supported several candidates who won the presidency of the Republic, earning him the nickname “kingmaker”. Furthermore, after years of political tension and violence, he played a key role in the national reconciliation processes in Côte d’Ivoire.
Conclusion :
With the death of Henri Konan Bédié, Côte d’Ivoire loses an influential and controversial politician. His political career has marked the history of the country and his ability to maintain the influence of the PDCI will remain an important legacy. Whatever one thinks of his politics, he left his mark on the Ivorian political scene and leaves behind an indelible mark. His disappearance opens a new chapter in the political history of Côte d’Ivoire.