BEVERLY HILLS, March 11, (THEWILL) – Ivorian Prime Minister, Hamed Bakayoko has died in Germany, marking the second time within a year that the country’s Premier has died in office due to illness.
President Alassane Ouattara broke the news on Twitter, saying Bakayoko died of cancer.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the death of Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, Head of Government, Minister of Defence, this Wednesday March 10, 2021, in Germany, as a result of cancer,” he said.
Bakayoko, 56, had been flown to Paris for medical treatment nearly a month ago, and had recently been moved to Germany.
Bakayoko was chosen last July after then-Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died from a heart problem.
The President described Bakayoko as a “great statesman” in presenting his condolences Wednesday.
“The Prime Minister served Ivory Coast with dedication and selflessness,” Ouattara said.
