Ivory Coast Prime Minister, Gon Coulibaly dies at 61
The Prime Minister of Ivory Coast and a candidate for October’s presidential election, Amadou Gon Coulibaly is dead.
Coulibaly died yesterday, Wednesday July 8 shortly after falling ill at a ministerial meeting.
He had returned from France two weeks ago after two months of treating heart ailment.
He received a heart transplant in 2012 and had travelled to Paris on May 2 for the insertion of a stent.
On his return, he was quoted to have said: “I am back to take my place by the side of the president, to continue the task of developing and building our country, Ivory Coast.”
The Secretary General to the Ivorien presidency, Patrick Achi announced his death on a national television.
In his words, “I am deeply saddened to announce that Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, the head of government, left us early this afternoon after taking part in a cabinet meeting.”
Alassane Ouattara, the Ivorian President in a statement said, “pay tribute to my younger brother, my son Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who was my closest collaborator for 30 years.”
Je rends hommage à mon jeune frère, mon fils, Amadou Gon Coulibaly, qui a été, pendant trente ans, mon plus proche collaborateur. pic.twitter.com/M0gk0kPU0W
— Alassane Ouattara (@AOuattara_PRCI) July 8, 2020
“I salute the memory of a statesman, a man of great loyalty, dedication and love for his homeland.”
In March, Mr Coulibaly was declared the candidate for President Ouattara’s party after the incumbent said he would not seek a controversial third term.
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