What You Need to Know
Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara has conducted a cabinet reshuffle, appointing his brother, Teni Berahima Ouattara, as the new Deputy Prime Minister while retaining most key ministers. This move is seen as a step towards stability and continuity in governance, following Ouattara’s re-election and his party’s legislative victory, aiming to pave the way for a new generation of leaders.
Africa-Press. Ivory Coast’s President, Alassane Ouattara, has conducted a cabinet reshuffle, retaining most prominent ministers while appointing his brother, Teni Berahima Ouattara, the Minister of Defense, to the newly created position of Deputy Prime Minister, which he will hold alongside his defense portfolio.
This reshuffle elevates the brother’s status within the government hierarchy, while most key ministerial portfolios remain unchanged, indicating a continuity of governance rather than a radical shift. The new government retains the same structure: 35 ministers, including four deputy ministers.
General Vagondo Diomandé remains Minister of Interior and Security, while Sansan Kambile continues as Minister of Justice, and Adama Koulibaly retains the budget portfolio. Four new individuals have joined the executive branch. Some ministerial positions have seen changes compared to the previous team. Kofi Ngissan has moved from the Ministry of Technical Education to the Ministry of National Education. Nyali Kaba has transitioned from the Ministry of Planning to take over the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Four new members have joined the executive, including Hien Yakouba Si, the current director of the Port of Abidjan. Also joining the government are Gibril Ouattara, the former director of MTN Ivory Coast, and Jean Louis Molot, the director of Sodexam. A political observer commented, “President Ouattara has chosen stability through a gradual transfer of power between generations.”
Among the departing ministers are Leon Kakao Adom from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bouake Fofana, Laurent Chagba, and notably, State Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, who has led the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development since 2019.
This cabinet reshuffle follows Ouattara’s re-election in October and his party’s victory in the legislative elections held in December, enabling him to secure a parliamentary majority.
At 84 years old, Ouattara, a former Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, has been leading the country since 2011 and has stated his intention to pave the way for a new generation of political leaders during his term.
These changes come at a time when Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, seeks to build on nearly 15 years of sustainable economic growth that has made it one of the fastest-growing economies in the region.
Alassane Ouattara has been leading Ivory Coast since 2011, following a period of political turmoil and civil conflict. His administration has focused on economic growth, making the country one of the fastest-growing economies in West Africa. The recent cabinet reshuffle comes after his re-election in October and his party’s success in the December legislative elections, allowing him to consolidate power and influence within the government.
