Ivory Coast: a solemn ceremony at the presidency for the funeral of Hamed Bakayoko
Poster paying tribute to Hamed Bakayoko in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, March 15, 2021. AFP - ISSOUF SANOGO
Text by: RFI Follow
3 min
Côte d'Ivoire pays tribute on Wednesday to its Prime Minister who died last week, Hamed Bakayoko, who died of cancer at the age of 56.
A charismatic and popular character, admired for his career and also appreciated for his ease in sketching a few dance steps on occasion.
Like the character, the tribute to him is both official and popular, and it began with a presidential ceremony.
Publicity
Read more
With our correspondent in Abidjan
,
Pierre Pinto
The President of the Republic, Alassane Ouattara, presented the Ivorian flag to the widow of the late Prime Minister, Yolande Bakayoko.
Conclusion of a very solemn ceremony which took place in front of an audience of Ivorian and foreign officials, and during which military honors and meditation of high personalities followed one another.
Among them were several heads of state such as the Ghanaian Nana Akufo-Addo, the Burkinabè Roch Marc Christian Kaboré or the Bissau-Guinean Umaro Sissoco Embaló.
The Ministers of Youth, Amadou Touré, and of Culture, Raymonde Goudou Coffie, took the floor to underline
Hamed Bakayoko's
political loyalty
, reconsider his atypical career and recall his strength, tenacity and proximity to youth and artists in particular.
Then Alassane Ouattara decorated the late Prime Minister, elevating him to the dignity of Grand Cross of the National Order, the highest honorary distinction in Côte d'Ivoire.
Then, the funeral oration was pronounced by Adama Toungara, mediator of the Republic and predecessor of Hamed Bakayoko at the town hall of Abobo.
"
The Ivory Coast of towns and villages mourns Hamed Bakayoko, one of its most illustrious sons, link between government and opposition, mediator between generations ... His multi-faith family is an example of living together
", a notably declared Adama Toungara.
The ceremonies in memory of the late Prime Minister will continue this Wednesday afternoon with a political tribute first, followed this evening by an artistic vigil until dawn at the Ebimpé stadium in Anyama.
Newsletter
Receive all international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Ivory Coast
On the same subject
Ivory Coast: the remains of Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko repatriated to the country
Ivory Coast: day of tribute to Hamed Bakayoko this Wednesday
Ivory Coast: a tribute of artists and youth at the funeral of Hamed Bakayoko