The Indomitable Lions have been in Yamoussoukro since January 10, 2024. The gang Rigobert Song Bahanag stay at the President Hotel in the political capital of the country at midday. But before settling down, the Indomitable Lions went to bow at the grave of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the first Ivorian president. The same one who proclaimed the independence of the country. He is a very respected figure in his country.
The “Old Man” or “the Wise” as the man is commonly called in his country, is a somewhat controversial figure on the African political scene for his role in the construction of Françafrique, but history keeps the one who was the only indigenous Ivorian deputy in the French Constituent Assembly, the image of a leading actor in the decolonization of Africa. Founder of the African Agricultural Union in 1944, the man co-founded the African Democratic Rally (RDA), a party with a pan-Africanist vocation, which was at the basis of the birth of several independence parties in Africa and particularly in French Africa. Its influence on the progress of France.
It is therefore to a figure at least present in the history of African people who rests in Yamoussoukro and to whom the Indomitable Lions thought it necessary to pay a tribute visit. On the Facebook page of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fécafoot), it is written that “a few minutes after their arrival in Yamoussoukro, on the path which leads to their den at the President Hotel, the Indomitable Lions made a detour in the home of the former President of the Republic Félix Houphouët-Boigny to pay homage to his grave and thus honor the memory of the man who 40 years ago presented the CAN winner’s trophy to Théophile Abéga…” In Africa, the dead are not dead. And before embarking on major projects, traditionalists often ask the blessing of their ancestors. This is certainly the meaning of the visit paid to the Ivorian and African “Sage” at his final resting place.
If Félix Houphouët-Boigny must intercede, the man will perhaps have his heart swinging between his country of origin, Ivory Coast which is organizing this 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), and the Cameroon. The former Ivorian guide organized the CAN exactly 40 years ago, to present the final trophy to the captain of the Cameroon national team. He was Cameroon’s first star. Forty years later, its 3rd successor organized its 2nd edition of the tournament, Houphouët-Boigny is no more. His country has only one title, Cameroon has five. In the meantime, Samuel Eto’o, one of the best footballers in Africa, Cameroonian, married an Ivorian. Cameroon is thus in the in-laws. In Africa, in-laws deserve respect and kindness. Houphouët knows this better than anyone, watching Samuel Eto’o lead the Cameroonian delegation to his grave. In place of the Old Man, Alassane Ouattara would not have a heartache by handing over the final trophy to Vincent Aboubakar rather than to Serge Aurier.
