Henri Konan Bédié, the former president of Ivory Coast, passed away on August 1 at the age of 89. Known for his controversial tenure as president, Bédié stoked xenophobia and ethnic tensions during his time in power before being ousted in a military coup in 1999.
Bédié’s longtime rival and current president, Alassane Ouattara, announced a 10-day period of national mourning for Bédié, who remained influential in Ivorian politics as the head of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast-African Democratic Rally.
When Bédié assumed the presidency in 1993, Ivory Coast was considered one of the most stable and prosperous countries in West Africa. However, his administration was marred by corruption, which led to the suspension of aid from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.
Bédié also promoted the concept of “Ivoirité,” which emphasized Ivorian identity and was used as a political weapon against immigrants and political rivals. This concept fueled ethnic tensions and fractured national unity in the country.
During Bédié’s rule, he cracked down on journalists and dissidents, leading to protests and demonstrations being banned. He extended his term and granted himself more power, which further entrenched his grip on power.
In 1999, Bédié was ousted in a coup led by General Robert Guéï, who had been forced into retirement by the former president. The coup was met with jubilation by many Ivorians, who had grown tired of Bédié’s leadership.
The civil war that followed in 2002 was a consequence of the divisive policies and actions taken by Bédié, specifically regarding questions of Ivorian citizenship and identity.
Despite his controversial legacy, Bédié remained active in politics, running for president in 2010 and 2020. At the time of his death, he had not ruled out the possibility of running again in the country’s next election in 2025.
Bédié’s death marks the end of an era in Ivory Coast’s history, and his passing has elicited mixed reactions from the Ivorian people. While some mourn his death, others remember him as a divisive figure who contributed to the country’s political and social unrest.