The passing of Henri Konan Bedie, the former President of Ivory Coast, is a major loss for the nation.

Bedie, who served as president from 1993 to 1999, was a significant figure in Ivorian politics for many years, known for his vision of a modern, prosperous and unified Ivory Coast.

His death is a sad moment for the country, but his legacy will live on in the many contributions he made to Ivory Coast.

Henri Konan Bedie's legacy will be defined in part by his role in promoting the concept of "Ivoirite," or Ivorian identity.

Bedie believed that the country should be led by those who were ethnically and culturally Ivorian, and he took measures to restrict the rights of those who were perceived as "foreign" or of mixed heritage.

While this policy was divisive and sparked tensions, it also led to a national dialogue about identity and belonging in a country of great diversity.