Kandia Camara: first woman elected president of the Senate in Ivory Coast
This is historic news for Ivory Coast. Kandia Camara, a leading political figure and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has just been elected president of the Senate, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the country. This appointment confirms the confidence placed in Kandia Camara by President Alassane Ouattara, who considers her one of his most loyal allies.
Kandia Camara, aged 64, devoted a large part of her life to politics alongside Alassane Ouattara. Originally from northern Côte d’Ivoire, she began her career as an English teacher in Abidjan in the 1990s. It was at this time that she joined the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI). ) and quickly established herself as General Secretary of the Women’s Union, the women’s section of the party.
In 1994, Kandia Camara joined the Rally of Republicans (RDR), a political party founded by PDCI dissidents and led by Alassane Ouattara. Her political rise continued over the years, and in 2014 she was named Secretary General of the RDR, a surprising decision that deeply moved her.
During her ten-year tenure as Minister of National Education, Kandia Camara faced widespread criticism for her department’s mixed results. Despite this, her reputation as a fighter and her outspokenness made her a respected, but also controversial, political figure. She was at the center of some controversies, notably when she published a photo with her daughter who graduated from an American university, to the detriment of Ivorian institutions, as well as when she appointed her husband to the directorship of the Economic Bureau of the Ivory Coast Embassy in the United States.
In 2021, Kandia Camara reached a new level of responsibility by becoming the first woman to serve as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Côte d’Ivoire. This appointment was hailed as a major step forward for women in the country.
His re-election as mayor of Abobo, one of the largest communes in Côte d’Ivoire, last September with a large majority of votes strengthened his political position and laid the foundations for his candidacy for the presidency of the senate .
Today, Kandia Camara writes a new page in Ivorian political history by becoming the first woman to lead the Senate. With 91 votes out of 97 voters, his victory was predictable, but that does not detract from his success and the importance of this nomination.
As president of the senate, Kandia Camara will have a key role in the political landscape of Côte d’Ivoire. She must guide the debates and represent the parliamentary institution with determination and intelligence.. His vast political experience and his commitment to the development of the country will be valuable assets to fulfill this function.
The appointment of Kandia Camara as president of the senate marks a significant step forward in the representation of women in high political positions in Côte d’Ivoire. She inspires women across the country to pursue their political aspirations and believe in their ability to hold positions of responsibility.
Kandia Camara’s journey is proof that women can play a key role in the construction and development of their country. Her victory is a strong signal in favor of gender equality and an important step forward towards a more inclusive and representative society.