In a public statement, the PDCI-RDA party confirmed the passing of former Ivorian President Henri Konan Bédié, who died on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the PISAM clinic in Abidjan. The ruling party also paid tribute to the memory of “a great statesman and man of peace.”
“The high leadership of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA) deeply regrets to inform the members of the PDCI-RDA, the people of Côte d’Ivoire, and the entire world about the sudden death of His Excellency HENRI KONAN BÉDIÉ, President of the PDCI-RDA and former President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire; His death occurred on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, in Abidjan,” reads the statement from the PDCI-RDA, as reported by the Ivorian press.
“In these hours of great sadness, we bow with respect to the memory of this Great Statesman, who spared no sacrifice for peace in Côte d’Ivoire and for the Grandeur of our beloved Nation, to which he devoted himself entirely… We extend our deepest condolences to Mrs. Henriette BEDIE, the BEDIE family, all members of the PDCI-RDA, and the entire people of Côte d’Ivoire,” the statement adds.
Suffering from discomfort early on Tuesday, Henri Konan Bédié had been transported by helicopter from Daoukro to Abidjan. This was the last journey for the former head of state, who had celebrated his 89th birthday in May earlier that year. Despite appearing in good health that day and being present at the Saint-Paul Cathedral in Plateau with Cardinal Jean-Pierre Kutwa, the incident was attributed by his communications team to heat stroke caused by the humid environment and poor ventilation at the cathedral.
