Ivory Coast’s prime minister, Hamed Bakayoko has died in Germany at the age of 56, according to the government.
President Alassane Ouattara said in a statement on twitter that “I have the immense sorrow to announce the death of the Prime Minister, Hamed Bakayoko, Head of Government, Minister of Defense, this Wednesday March 10, 2021, in Germany, as a result of cancer.”
He continued that that the late prime minister “was a great statesman, a model for our youth, a personality of great generosity and exemplary loyalty.”
The president said “on behalf of the Government and on my own behalf, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to his wife, his children, the great Bakayoko family, all the allied families and all Ivorians.”
Notre pays est en deuil.
J’ai l’immense douleur de vous annoncer le décès du Premier Ministre, Hamed Bakayoko, Chef du Gouvernement, Ministre de La Défense, ce mercredi 10 mars 2021, en Allemagne, des suites d’un cancer. pic.twitter.com/IfImVNdlho— Alassane Ouattara (@AOuattara_PRCI) March 10, 2021
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Bakayoko received treatment in France on February 18 before heading to Germany. He had in the past contracted coronavirus.
President Alassane Ouattara appointed the former Defence Minister as prime minister after his predecessor died suddenly last year.
Bakayoko, is a former radio and newspaper executive and longtime ally of Ouattara.
He had a reputation as a populist and showman who holds rowdy campaign rallies.
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As prime minister he also held his position as defence minister.
Bakayoko served as interim prime minister during Gon Coulibaly’s two-month absence for heart tests in France.
The previous prime minister, Gon Coulibaly also died suddenly days after returning to Ivory Coast last year.
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Source: Africafeeds.com
