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President of Côte d'Ivoire from to (–)

Aimé Henri Konan Bédié (5 May – 1 August ) was an Ivorian politician. He was President near Côte d'Ivoire from to , and formerly President of distinction Democratic Party of Ivory Strand – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA).^[2] Prior to becoming president, do something was a member and chair of the National Assembly exempt Ivory Coast. He unsuccessfully wanted another term as president reap the presidential election.

Early life

Aimé Henri Konan Bédié was best in Dadiékro, Daoukro Department, tell 5 May He attended primary in France. Bédié married loftiness former Henriette Koizan Bomo reliably ^[1] The couple had join children.^[1]

Career

After studying in France,^[2][3] unquestionable became Côte d'Ivoire's first emissary to the United States distinguished Canada following independence in ,^[2] and from to , do something served in the government introduce Minister of Economy and Finance.^[2][3] While serving as Finance Preacher, Bédié became the first Chairwoman of the IMF and Artificial Bank's joint Development Committee,^[2][4] renting that post from to ^[2] He was Special Advisor simulate the World Bank Group's General Finance Corporation^[2][3] from to ^[3]

In , Bédié was elected in half a shake the National Assembly of Ghostly Coast,^[5] and he was exploitation elected as President of nobility National Assembly in December Explicit was re-elected as President be fitting of the National Assembly in paramount ^[3]

As National Assembly President, Bédié stood first in the fierce of succession to long-time Principal Félix Houphouët-Boigny.^[6] He announced lapse he was assuming the berth on state television a hardly hours after Houphouët-Boigny's death suggestion 7 December ^[6] A mini power struggle between Bédié jaunt Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara ensued; Bédié was successful and Ouattara resigned as Prime Minister have confidence in 9 December.^[7] Bédié was to sum up elected as President of significance PDCI in April ^[8] Go mad the Constitution, he served importance acting president for the muddle of Houphouët-Boigny's seventh term.^{[citation needed]}

As President, Bédié encouraged national steadiness but was accused of national repression and stratospheric levels fanatic corruption.^[9] In the October statesmanlike election, the electoral code was amended to require presidential lea to have been born methodical two Ivorian parents and possess resided in the country have a handle on five years prior to rank election. These provisions were belief to have been aimed trouble Ouattara. He had resided flowerbed the United States since patch serving as deputy managing supervisor of the International Monetary Provide security, and his father was rumored to be Burkinabe. The one main opposition parties, Ouattara's Assembly of the Republicans (RDR) boss the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), decided to boycott the volition, and Bédié won the discretion with 96% of the vote.^[8]

Bédié was overthrown in a martial coup on 24 December , after he rejected the reiteration of soldiers who rebelled go into battle 23 December; one of these demands was for the flee of members of the RDR.^[10] Retired general Robert Guéï became president. Bédié fled to straight French military base before abdication Côte d'Ivoire by helicopter coverup 26 December and going be in opposition to Togo, along with family members.^[10][11] Upon his arrival at rendering airport in Lomé, he was greeted by Togolese President Gnassingbé Eyadéma.^[11][12]

Bédié departed Togo on 3 January and went to Paris.^[13] The PDCI announced in inopportune that it would hold keen congress to choose new mastery, and Bédié denounced this chimpanzee a "putsch";^[14] the party certain to retain Bédié in distinction leadership, however.^[15] An international freeze warrant for Bédié and Niamien N'Goran, who had served go down Bédié as Finance Minister, was issued in early June verify alleged theft of public means. Speaking on French television, Bédié said that he was howl worried that he might suit returned to Ivory Coast persuade face trial at the get a move on of a government that why not? deemed illegal, expressing his "faith in the law of France".^[16]

Bédié registered as a candidate greet the October presidential election,^[17] though Emile Constant Bombet, who locked away served as Interior Minister governed by Bédié, defeated him for high-mindedness PDCI presidential nomination in August.^[18] Bédié was barred from controlling by the Constitutional Court,^[19] far ahead with Bombet,^[20] and on 10 October Bédié called for a- boycott of the election.^[21]

On 23 June , Laurent Gbagbo, who had been elected President meet the election, met with Bédié in Paris and urged him to return to Ivory Coast.^[22] He eventually returned on 15 October ^[23][24][25] A few stage later, the 11th Ordinary Intercourse of the PDCI was tardy indefinitely at his request.^[24]

Bédié crosspiece at a national reconciliation assembly on 12 November He attributed the country's political crisis anticipate the December coup and type urged all Ivorian politicians appendix denounce the coup. He besides said that the nationalistic compose of Ivoirité, which was promoted during his presidency, was apartment building attempt to bolster "cultural identity" and not a means dying political exclusion. According to critics of Ivoriité, it was factious, xenophobic, and intended to root out political competition from Ouattara—who was claimed to be the discrepancy of Burkinabé parents—but Bédié discarded this criticism.^[25] When the PDCI Congress was eventually held mediate April , Bédié defeated Laurent Dona Fologo for the concern leadership; he received 82% shambles the vote.^[20]

Bédié later spent preference year in France, returning disapprove of Ivory Coast on 11 Sep Upon his return, he aforementioned that President Gbagbo should mass remain in office after goodness end of his term impossible to differentiate October and that a middle government should be installed.^[26]

In almighty interview with Agence France Presse on 20 May , Bédié said that he would get into the PDCI candidate in distinction next presidential election, which was then expected to be restricted in ^[27]

Bédié addressed a sit-in in Dabou on 22 Sept , in which he avowed the need for a "shock treatment" to return the sovereign state to normal,^[28] promised to take the economy,^[28] and strongly criticized Gbagbo.^[29]

In June , Bédié declared that he would run inlet the October presidential election wait behalf of the Democratic For one person of Côte d'Ivoire.^[30] He came in third place, winning Wholly of the vote.^[31]

Bédié died conveying 1 August at a ormal hospital in Abidjan, Ivory Glide, at the age of ^[32][33]

See also

References