In a spirit of renewal, the Ivorian government recently underwent a reshuffle, with new Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé at its head. However, despite this change at the head of government, the composition of the team remains relatively unchanged, with the reappointment of most ministers.
Among the notable changes, Robert Beugré Mambé also takes charge of the Sports portfolio, just three months before the start of the African Cup of Nations which will be held in Ivory Coast next January. This decision follows the interruption of a friendly match between Ivory Coast and Mali, due to the poor quality of the pitch at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Abidjan, built for this major sporting event.
Although the appointment of Robert Beugré Mambé as Prime Minister sparked surprise reactions, the overall composition of the government remains relatively stable. Téné Birahima Ouattara retains his position as Minister of Defense, as does Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani for Agriculture. Anne Ouloto, who won an important victory during the regional elections in September, is promoted to Minister of State and keeps her position in the Civil Service.
However, some ministers have been replaced. Kandia Camara, recently elected president of the Senate, gives way to Kacou Houadja Léon Adom as Minister of Foreign Affairs. On the other hand, the Minister of Reconciliation, Kouadio Konan Bertin, who was an unfortunate opponent of Alassane Ouattara during the last presidential election, was not reappointed.
This government reorganization occurs two years before the next presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled for 2025. At this stage, it is not yet clear whether Alassane Ouattara, current president, will run for a fourth term. The Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), the ruling party, is however considered the big favorite in this election, particularly after its overwhelming victory in the local elections in September.
In conclusion, although the Ivorian government has experienced a change of Prime Minister, the overall composition of the team remains relatively stable. Key ministers retain their positions, while new faces appear. It remains to be seen what impact this will have on the country’s politics as the 2025 presidential election approaches.