Former Ivory Coast President Henri Bedie dies at 89

Former Ivory Coast President Henri Konan Bedie, part of an old guard of politicians who dominated politics in the West African nation for a generation, has died, aged 89, a close relative told Reuters on Tuesday.
Mr Bedie served as president from 1993 until his ouster in 1999. He later ran a losing race against his long-time political rival, President Alassane Ouattara, in elections in 2020, when he was 86 years old.
It is not clear how Mr Bedie died.
His spokesman could not be reached for comment.
He was long remembered – and in some parts reviled – for his role in promoting the issue of “ivoirite,” or Ivorian identity.
The issue fuelled tensions between those who considered themselves natives in the south and east and the many foreign workers from neighbouring countries long settled in the country’s north.
(Reuters/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Economy
Dangote Petrol Cut: Motorists seek reduction in fuel pump prices
Checks by journalists showed that petrol prices at various filling stations still ranged between N1,385 and N1,420 per litre.

Politics
Aregbesola appeals judgement sacking Mark-led ADC
Mr Aregbesola prayed the Court of Appeal to vacate Justice Peter Lifu’s ruling on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

States
Police arrest wanted suspected thug in Kano
Mr Kiyawa said the suspect remained in police custody and was undergoing discreet investigation.

Showbiz
I’m not paedophile; I was framed, Baba Ijesha insists
Baba Ijesha denied being a paedophile, adding that he only got to know the meaning of the word in prison.

NationWide
NDLEA intercepts N900 million worth of opioids in nationwide raids
The consignment, made up of eleven cartons packed in two wooden structures, arrived at the airport’s import shed on Tuesday.

States
Uba Sani donates vehicles to JNI, CAN, religious sects in Kaduna
Mr Sani pointed out that some politicians who foresee defeat are planning to disrupt public peace before, during or after the coming elections.





