It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing on Sunday 23 February 2020 of our dearest Dr. Saadou Issifou, MD PhD, our former Director from 2001 to 2013. He was most recently the President of the “Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique” (FORS) in Cotonou, in his home country of Benin. He was also Research group leader at the Institute for Tropical Medicine at the University of Tübingen in Germany, as well as a lecturer at the University of Parakou, in Benin.
He was a member of several scientific committees and consortiums including, the Central African Network for TB, AIDS and Malaria (CANTAM), DCCC member at the EDCTP, CCG member at the CAMES, and was Principal Investigator of several international clinical trials performed in Lambaréné, Gabon and in Cotonou, Benin over many years.

His decades-long work as a clinician, researcher, and lecturer touched the lives of children and adults throughout Central and West Africa. Dr. Issifou dedicated his life to combating some of the greatest threats to human health and development, including anti-malarial drug development, and the successful search for a malaria vaccine. His many accomplishments in public health reflect both the grand legacy he leaves, and the great work we all must carry forward in his memory.

We share in the sorrow of his loving family and of our colleagues in Gabon, Benin and Germany at our loss. Dr. Issifou’s passing remains in our thoughts during this period of mourning and beyond.

Adieu Docteur Saadou and Rest In Peace

Board of Director, CERMEL