Ivory Coast Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, who was seen as a possible successor to President Alassane Ouattara, has died in Freiburg in southwestern Germany, two days after his 56th birthday, the government said on Wednesday.
His death has elicited reactions from across the continent as presidents and other business leaders commiserate with president Ouattara over the loss.
Among those to have sent condolences via Twitter are Burkina Faso President Roch Marc Kabore, AfDB president Akinwumi Adesina and AU Commission chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat.
The deceased, was a former media executive who turned to politics and acted as a negotiator and intermediary between warring factions during a prolonged civil conflict in Ivory Coast from the early 2000s.
“He was a great statesman, a model for our youth, a personality of great generosity and exemplary loyalty,” Ouattara said on Twitter.
A close ally of Ouattara, he was appointed as prime minister in July 2020 following the sudden death of his predecessor Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who had been handpicked by Ouattara to succeed him.
He was flown to France on Feb. 18 for medical checks and later to Freiburg in Germany. Ouattara said he died of cancer.
The government said in a statement on Friday that Ouattara had met Bakayoko during a visit in France the previous week, and given the state of the minister’s health, it was recommended that his hospitalisation should be extended.
“He was a key player in the political game and a major player in reconciliation. It’s a true shame,” said Issiaka Sangare, spokesman for the opposition Ivorian Popular Front.
J'ai appris avec une grande tristesse la nouvelle du décès du Premier ministre Hamed Bakayoko.Mes condoléances les plus émues au président @AOuttara_PRCI, au gouvernement et à sa famille. Paix à son âme.
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) March 10, 2021
Je présente mes condoléances émues à la famille de @HamedBakayoko1 , à mon homologue @AOuattara_PRCI et à l'ensemble du Peuple Ivoirien.#BurkinaFaso #CI225 pic.twitter.com/b0tOTYisS3
— Roch KABORE (@rochkaborepf) March 10, 2021
I am very saddened by the death of the Prime Minister of Côte d'Ivoire, H.E Hamed Bakayoko. May God comfort you @AOuattara_PRCI at this tragic moment, and may God comfort his family, the government and the people of Cote d'Ivoire. May his soul rest in peace.
