Ivory Coast’s Prime Minister, Hamed Bakayoko passed away on Wednesday.
The PM died from cancer in Freiburg, Germany, where he was receiving medical treatment.
Bakayoko’s death came two days after his 56th birthday and eight months after his predecessor, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, died.
President Alassane Ouattara said the country is in mourning. He described the deceased as a model for the youth, and a personality of great generosity and exemplary loyalty.
“It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, head of state, minister of defence … in Germany, as a result of cancer”, he tweeted.
Bakayoko was appointed Prime Minister in July 2020. He was flown to France on February 18 for medical checks and later to Freiburg.
Ouattara met Bakayoko in France last week. This week, he named his Chief of Staff, Patrick Achi, as interim Prime Minister.
Tene Birahima Ouattara, his younger brother, was appointed the new interim Defence Minister.
