The announcement surprised observers of Ivorian public life: Guillaume Houphouët-Boigny will not be buried in the family vault in Yamoussoukro. In accordance with his last wishes, he will be laid to rest in Aniassué (Annourfou) , in the Abengourou region, on the land of his maternal lineage.

A choice dictated by sobriety and discretion

While this choice raises questions given the historical weight of his family name, it is in fact perfectly in keeping with the personality of the deceased. A man of discretion and reserve, Guillaume Houphouët-Boigny always shunned the limelight.

1. His refusal of the "pilgrimage": During his lifetime, he confided his unease with the crowds surrounding the tomb of his father, Félix Houphouët-Boigny. He perceived some of these visits as opportunistic, far removed from the moral values bequeathed by the "Old Man".
2. The quest for serenity: By choosing Aniassué, he favours an intimate and peaceful setting, sheltered from the political and national symbolism of the administrative capital.

Returning to one's maternal roots

The burial in Abengourou marks a symbolic return to his roots. It is in his mother's city that he wished to find rest, thus affirming his attachment to his most personal family roots.

"This choice is not a reversal, but the final act of a life guided by consistency and discretion."

A transition made peaceful by tradition

To ensure this decision was fully accepted and respected, mediation was conducted by the canton chiefs . Their intervention addressed any potential reservations in both Yamoussoukro and Abengourou, guaranteeing that the deceased's wishes would be meticulously honored in accordance with tradition.