Henri Konan Bédié, a major political figure in Côte d’Ivoire, died at the age of 89. Former head of state and president of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), he leaves behind an important political legacy. In this article, we will return to Bédié’s career and his influence on the Ivorian political scene.
Henri Konan Bédié was one of the “big three” of Ivorian politics, alongside Alassane Ouattara and Laurent Gbagbo. He had retained all his influence at the head of the PDCI and represented a significant part of the Ivorian political landscape. His party is currently preparing for local elections, but it remains to be seen who his successor will be and whether he will be able to prevail against other political parties.
One of the defining moments of Henri Konan Bédié’s career was the debate around Ivorianness, which deeply divided the country. This concept was used politically, which led to tensions and the tearing of Ivorian society. Although Bédié claimed that this was a cultural concept, it is widely recognized that it had a negative impact on the unity of the country.
The question of Ivorianness has had significant consequences on the history of Côte d’Ivoire. It led to social and political tensions, notably with the establishment of eligibility conditions for the presidency which excluded certain candidates. This period was marked by unrest and a coup d’état in 1999.
Despite controversies surrounding Ivorianness and other aspects of his political career, Henri Konan Bédié maintained considerable influence on the national political scene until the end. He launched Daoukro’s appeal, hoping to return to power, but he understood that this would not be possible. However, the PDCI, the oldest party in Côte d’Ivoire, is expected to survive its demise, although internal struggles may arise over its succession.
Beyond his political career, Henri Konan Bédié was known as a “kingmaker”, having supported candidates who won presidential elections. Despite criticism, he also worked for peace and reconciliation in Ivory Coast, although his methods were sometimes misunderstood.
The death of Henri Konan Bédié marks the end of a political era in Côte d’Ivoire. His legacy will be remembered and the future of the PDCI and Ivorian politics remains to be determined. The Ivorian political scene loses a man who played an important role in its evolution and continues to influence its dynamics until today.