Ivorian President Names Brother Vice Prime Minister in Cabinet Reshuffle
President Alassane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire has appointed his brother, Tene Birahima Ouattara, to the newly created position of Vice Prime Minister, in addition to his current role as Defence Minister.
The appointment was announced on Friday as part of a cabinet reshuffle that largely retained existing senior ministers, reflecting policy continuity rather than a sweeping reorganisation of government.
By elevating the Defence Minister to the vice premiership, the reshuffle places the younger Ouattara higher in the government’s leadership structure, while most key ministerial portfolios remain unchanged.
The changes follow President Ouattara’s re-election in October, as well as his party’s strong performance in December’s parliamentary elections, which secured a majority in the legislature.
President Ouattara, 84, a former deputy managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), has governed Côte d’Ivoire since 2011. He has repeatedly stated his intention to pave the way for a new generation of political leaders.
The cabinet adjustments come at a time when Côte d’Ivoire — the world’s leading cocoa producer — is seeking to consolidate nearly 15 years of steady economic expansion that has positioned it among West Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
Source: Reuters
