Ivorian PM Hamed Bakayoko dies of cancer in Germany

Ivorian Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko died on Wednesday of cancer in Germany, the presidency announced, marking the second time within a year that the country’s premier has died in office due to illness.

Ivorian Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko died on Wednesday of cancer in Germany, the presidency announced, marking the second time within a year that the country’s premier has died in office due to illness. Bakayoko, 56, had been brought to Paris for medical treatment nearly a month ago, and had recently been moved to Germany. A government statement announcing his death was read on national television Wednesday evening. Bakayoko was chosen last July after then-Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly died from a heart problem. Coulibaly was President Alassane Ouattara’s chosen successor, and the incumbent leader decided to seek another term in office after his party’s preferred candidate died.