Mourning: First Lady Dominique Ouattara Offers Her Condolences to the Family of Dr. Maferima Bamba Fouetay M’Bahia
On Monday, October 5, 2026, First Lady Dominique Ouattara visited the home of the family of Dr. Maférima Bamba Fouetay M’Bahia, at Riviera Golf, to offer her condolences and those of her husband, President Alassane Ouattara.
Dr. Maférima Bamba Fouetay M’Bahia, who passed away on September 18, 2026, was Deputy Director General of Taxation and Mayor of the municipality of Seguela. She was laid to rest on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Abobo Cemetery.
Having been very close to the deceased, the First Lady made a point of visiting her family in person to express her sympathy and solidarity during this painful time.
On this occasion, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara conveyed to the family the compassion of the Head of State and her own, while offering them her encouragement and support during this difficult time.
The First Lady was accompanied by Mr. Toure Mamadou, Minister of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration, and Civic Service, and spokesperson for the delegation; Ms. Nasseneba Toure, Minister of Women, Family, and Children; Ms. Myss Belmonde Dogo, Minister of National Cohesion, Solidarity, and the Fight Against Poverty; as well as several other dignitaries.
Speaking on behalf of the First Lady, Mr. Toure Mamadou expressed the presidential couple’s deep sorrow at the news of the death of Dr. Maferima Bamba Fouetay M’Bahia. He also spoke of the particularly close ties that had bound the First Lady to the deceased for nearly thirty years—a relationship that, over the years, had evolved into a true family bond.
“It’s a relationship that has grown stronger over time. So you can understand the sadness that has gripped the presidential couple. Mrs. M’Bahia was more than a friend. She was the First Lady’s little sister,” he said. He went on to reveal that, despite her particularly busy schedule, Mrs. Dominique Ouattara made a point of visiting the M’Bahia, Bamba, and Binate families to personally express her affection and compassion, as well as to pray with them for the repose of the soul of the woman she considered her sister.
On behalf of the M’Bahia, Bamba, and Binate families, Maître N’Zi Jean-Claude, nephew of Mr. M’Bahia Sylvain, the husband of the deceased, expressed his deep gratitude to the presidential couple for their constant support, both during Dr. Maferima M’Bahia’s illness and after her death.
In particular, he highlighted the personal involvement of the President of the Republic and the First Lady in organizing the deceased’s funeral. With emotion, he expressed the family’s gratitude for their presence and solidarity, which, he said, had been a true source of comfort during this painful time. “You did everything humanly possible to support her,” he told the First Lady, before adding: “You have honored her memory. You have dried our tears because you reminded us that she was not only our mother and sister, but your younger sister and a servant of the nation.”
At the conclusion of the visit, the First Lady provided financial support of five million CFA francs to the family, in order to help with the hospitality and reception of the many people who will come to offer their condolences to the bereaved family.