Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara has announced an eight-day mourning period, starting on Friday, following the death of Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko.

In a statement on Thursday night, President Ouattara said flags would be flown at half-mast throughout the country and its embassies abroad.

The prime minister died of cancer in Germany. His body is expected to arrive in the commercial capital, Abidjan, on Saturday.

His burial is scheduled for Friday 19 March, official sources said.