Ivory Coast: 8 days of mourning after premier's death

LOME, Togo

Starting Friday, Ivorians are observing eight days of national mourning following the death of Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko.

Until Friday, March 19, “state flags will be flown at half-mast throughout the national territory and in the embassies of Ivory Coast abroad," said a presidential decree issued late Thursday.

Bakayoko, 56, had suffered from cancer. He died in Germany on Wednesday where he was being treated after a brief hospitalization in France.

Bakayoko, a journalist by trade, was both head of state and defense minister. He had previously served as minister of interior and security and also minister of new technologies, information, and communication.

He was appointed premier last year following the death of his predecessor Amadou Gon Coulibaly.

Patrick Achi is now serving as interim prime minister.