Death of former Bar Association President Emmanuel Tano : First Lady Dominique Ouattara offers her condolences to Yolande Bakayoko

First Lady Dominique Ouattara visited the Tano family home in Riviera 3 on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to offer her condolences to Yolande Bakayoko following the death of her father, Emmanuel Tano, on March 7.

Having been out of the country for the funeral, the First Lady made a point of personally expressing, on behalf of President Alassane Ouattara and in her own name, her compassion and solidarity to Yolande Bakayoko and the Tano and Bakayoko families upon her return. She led a large delegation that included Minister Toure Mamadou, as well as several other dignitaries and members of her staff.

Speaking on behalf of the First Lady, Minister Touré Mamadou recalled the close ties between the presidential couple and the late Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, his wife, and Mr. Emmanuel Tano. He emphasized that upon her return to the country, the First Lady made a point of coming to express her support and affection for Mrs. Yolande Bakayoko, whom she considered like a daughter. He further indicated that this loss deeply affected the presidential couple, who fully shared in their grief.

In this show of solidarity, the First Lady made a symbolic financial contribution of five million CFA francs to support the Tano and Bakayoko families in hosting the many visitors who came to offer their condolences.

On behalf of the bereaved families, Honorable Bredou Bredou Athanase, spokesperson, expressed his profound gratitude to the presidential couple for their unwavering support since the announcement of the death. He particularly commended the support the family received throughout the funeral arrangements, noting that the deceased had been honored by the nation. “The First Lady’s presence is a true comfort to the family. We extend our sincere thanks to her and to the President of the Republic,” he stated.

Former President of the Bar Association of Côte d’Ivoire, Emmanuel Tano was a leading figure in the national legal community. His remarkable career and commitment to justice significantly contributed to the prestige of the legal profession in Côte d’Ivoire. His passing has deeply affected the judicial community and the entire nation.