Ivory Coast's leader is dead
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.HE WAS nicknamed 'Le Vieux' before most of his neighbouring heads of state were born. His political career spanned most of the 20th century - a pedigree in French politics longer than that of President Francois Mitterrand and the elder statesman of Francophone Africa. In the 1930s he was an anti-colonial activist, in the '40s a member of the French Assembly, in the '50s a minister in six French governments and in 1960 he led Ivory Coast to independence.
Felix Houphouet-Boigny, President of Ivory Coast, died yesterday at his home at Yamoussoukro, 33 years to the day since he led his country to independence. Announcing his death, the Prime Minister, Alassane Ouattara, said: 'Ivory Coast is orphaned.' President Mitterrand said: 'The world has lost a great statesman and the Ivory Coast has lost its most illustrious son.'
No announcement has been made, but he will probably be given a grandiose funeral at Yamoussoukro. Houphouet-Boigny was small in stature and known for his charm and sagacity. He had none of the charisma that other, less durable African leaders possessed and was never at ease in front of a crowd.
Houphouet-Boigny, officially 88 but believed to be much older, pursued pro-French and pro-Western policies, maintaining relations with South Africa and Israel and encouraging free-market economics. Despite high growth rates, Ivory Coast's economic boom after independence was superficial, and in the mid-1980s, when interest rates soared and its commodity prices collapsed, Ivory Coast was as much adrift as any other African country.
Houphouet-Boigny's death plunges Ivory Coast into a crisis. According to the constitution the Speaker of parliament, Henri Konan Bedie, should rule until new elections, but these are not due for two years. Moreover, Mr Ouattara is challenging Mr Bedie. Yesterday Mr Bedie announced he was assuming the responsibilities of the presidency.
Obituary, page 14
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments