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Spotlight

IVORY COAST

Ouattara stokes hostilities between Soro and Bakayoko with 2020 in mind

Alassane Ouattara has reshuffled his governement on July 19. © Stephane Cardinale - Corbis

By appointing Hamed Bakayoko as minister of defence in the government reshuffle of 19 July, Alassane Ouattara has ratcheted up the tensions and divisions between his two putative heirs apparent, at the risk of sparking a political crisis. Here's why.‘Sworn [...] (643 words)

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Politics

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IVORY COAST
Alain-Richard Donwahi
Alassane Ouattara
Amadou Gon Coulibaly
Denis Sassou-Nguesso
Faure Gnassingbe
Forces nouvelles
Gnassingbe Eyadema
Guillaume Soro
Hamed Bakayoko
Henri Konan Bedie
Parti Democratique de Cote d'Ivoire
Patrice Talon
Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la Democratie et la Paix
Rassemblement des Republicains
Thomas Boni Yayi

Why Turkey's Karpowership hasn't yet produced a single megawatt Free

The floating power plant intended to ease Ivory Coast's energy crisis before phase one of the Baleine project launches in 2023 is stuck in the starting blocks. [...]

The Karpowership floating electricity production unit during its construction in March 2022, in Abidjan. © www.gouv.ci

IVORY COAST Politics 04/10/2021

Space constraints inspire grand designs in defence minister Téné Birahima Ouattara

Téné Birahima Ouattara, the Ivorian minister of defence and younger brother of President Alassane Ouattara, has been looking into options to build new premises for the ministry able to house all of its services. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 20/10/2020

Construction king Bonkoungou gives wings to Ouattara's presidential campaign

Ouattara will be jetting around the country campaigning for a third mandate on a plane belonging to banking and building king Mahamadou Bonkoungou. [...]

The Falcon 900Ex EaSy used by Ouattara. © DR

IVORY COAST Politics 15/09/2020

Presidential election: Adama Bictogo, the real driver of Alassane Ouattara's campaign

While the role of Alassane Ouattara's presidential campaign manager should be officially awarded to Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko, behind the scenes it is the executive director of the presidential party, Adama Bictogo, who will be behind the steering wheel. [...]

Adama Bictogo, RHDP executive director. © MaxPPP

WEST AFRICA IVORY COAST Business 01/06/2020

Lebanese giant Arabian Construction Co takes first steps in Africa

For a long time a key presence in the United Arab Emirates and then in Saudi Arabia, the Arabian Construction Co conglomerate is seeking to break into the African market. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 01/04/2020

Political allies desert Alassane Ouattara over his backing for Amadou Gon Coulibaly

After Henri Konan Bédié and Guillaume Soro, Marcel Amon Tanoh, who resigned on 19 March, has become the latest in a long line of former Ouattara allies who have opted to sever ties with the president. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 18/03/2020

Alassane Ouattara keen to remain at helm of RHDP

Though the Ivorian president has now officially confirmed that he will not stand for a third term, he plans to stay on as RHDP chairman. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 19/02/2020

Stéphane Konan leaves Abidjan far behind

Stéphane Konan, the influential advisor of the all-powerful Ivorian minister of defence, Hamed Bakayoko, has decided to keep a low [...]

IVORY COAST Diplomacy 19/02/2020

Marcel Amon Tanoh in firing line of Alassane Ouattara

The Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara may be poised to sack [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 08/01/2020

Alassane Ouattara's proposal to Guillaume Soro

On the evening of 22 December, the Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara had hoped to convince his former ally Guillaume Soro [...]

IVORY COAST Business 04/12/2019

Eric N'Guessan is new head of Ernst & Young

As it undergoes restructuring, the Ivorian subsidiary of the auditing [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 23/10/2019

Weakened within the RHDP, Amadou Gon Coulibaly beefs up his PR

In the face of criticism, the current prime minister and probable RHDP presidential candidate wants a 4.0 image makeover. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 09/10/2019

Alassane Ouattara wages a double campaign

Alassane Ouattara and his protégé Amadou Gon Coulibaly embarked on a series of rallies in late September as the 2020 election looms, but there is another, silent, campaign being waged at the treasury, the tax office and the electoral commission. [...]

IVORY COAST SENEGAL Diplomacy 25/09/2019

Macky Sall plays the mediator between Alassane Ouattara and Guillaume Soro

On the fringes of the Economic Community of West African [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 11/09/2019

Alassane Ouattara plays musical chairs with his security chiefs

The president has embarked on a major reshuffle that may see the PM's younger brother installed as head of the presidential special forces. [...]

Breaking newsIVORY COAST 04/09/2019

Patrice Talon sought to influence make-up of new Ivorian government

For the last few days, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly has been busy putting together a new government, which has [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 28/08/2019

Alassane Ouattara's 2020 electoral manoeuvres

The Ivorian president Alassane Ouattara is preparing to amend the constitution to facilitate the presidential bid of his prime minister, Amadou Gon Coulibaly. [...]

IVORY COAST Diplomacy 28/08/2019

Guillaume Soro in exile?

Guillaume Soro has no plans to return to Abidjan in [...]

TOGO Politics 13/03/2019

Francois Boko's difficult path to presidency

A minister of the interior under Gnassingbe Eyadema from 2002 to 2005, the lawyer Francois Boko intends to run for [...]

AFRICA 27/02/2019

Guess what of February 27, 2019 Free

BENIN Diplomacy 27/02/2019

Thomas Boni Yayi vs Patrice Talon: the return match

One of the few opponents to be authorised to run [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 27/02/2019

Soro cosies up to Bedie

Alassane Ouattara's principal opponent Henri Konan Bedie (HKB) received his [...]

IVORY COAST RWANDA Politics 13/02/2019

Paul Kagame takes close interest in Abidjan political rift

Paul Kagame has instructed his advisor Jean-Paul Kimonyo, who has [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 30/01/2019

Jean-Marc Yace bestrides politics and business

58-year-old Jean-Marc Yace, the former Ivorian navy officer and current mayor of Cocody commune in Abidjan, has been acting as [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 18/12/2018

Guillaume Soro turns his back on Alassane Ouattara

National Assembly president Guillaume Soro turned down a meeting with Alassane Ouattara before going off to Daoukro in central eastern [...]

IVORY COAST Mining 20/11/2018

Minister of mines shown the door?

Jean-Claude Kouassi's position as minister of mines within the Ivorian [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 14/11/2018

Hamed Bakayoko the mediator

On 7 November, the Ivorian defence minister Hamed Bakayoko discreetly [...]

TOGO Politics 31/10/2018

Agbeyome Kodjo gives his party a makeover

On 20 October, the former prime minister of Gnassingbe Eyadema from 2000 to 2002, the 64-year-old Gabriel Agbeyome Kodjo, renamed [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 17/10/2018

Ouattara and Soro at loggerheads

Henri Konan Bedie (HKB) is not the only one on [...]

IVORY COAST Business 05/09/2018

JCDecaux is streets ahead in Abidjan

The company has recently signed up for several projects which put it in pole position in the economic capital. [...]

IVORY COAST Business 05/09/2018

The palace dashes Saf Cacao's hopes

Liquidated in July, the top Ivorian exporter has fallen victim to political manoeuvrings in the country. The latest revelations. [...]

Focus

AFRICA SAUDI ARABIA QATAR 02/08/2018

Limam Chafi, Boni Yayi and Adam Toure, the African emissaries working for rival Gulf brothers

The cold war triggered between Qatar and Saudi Arabia a year ago has had a ripple effect across Africa, where each oil monarch wants to rally as many supporters to his side as possible. Without a network of power on the continent, Riyadh and Doha have both turned to former African presidential advisors known for their discretion. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 18/07/2018

Maurice Kakou Guikahue makes waves

The executive secretary of the Parti democratique de Cote d'Ivoire (PDCI), Maurice Kakou Guikahue, returned to Ivory Coast on 12 [...]

The pact between Henri Konan Bedie (right) and Alassane Ouattara is now broken. © Reuters

Spotlight

IVORY COAST Politics 18/07/2018

Will Ouattara manage to shut out his ‘friend' Bedie by 2020?

Henri Konan Bedie (aka HKB), a political ally (of convenience) of Alassane Ouattara since 2010, is fuming at the behaviour of the Ivorian president, who is also the leader of the Rassemblement des Republicains (RDR). [...]

IVORY COAST Energy 17/07/2018

Why Thierry Tanoh almost lost his oil portfolio?

The Ivorian minister of energy and oil Thierry Tanoh narrowly missed being fired in early July during a sweeping government [...]

TOGO IVORY COAST Politics 04/07/2018

Faure takes a break in Assinie

Faure Gnassingbe made a brief trip to Ivory Coast on [...]

IVORY COAST Mining 29/05/2018

Prime minister keeps Perseus waiting over Sisingue

The official inauguration of gold mine Sissingue scheduled for May [...]

IVORY COAST Mining 01/05/2018

MP Ali Kader Coulibaly picked to douse tensions at Randgold mine

Ali Kader Coulibaly, MP for M'Bengue with the ruling Rassemblement [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 25/04/2018

Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Ouattara strive to avoid a clash

President Alassane Ouattara and Henri Konan Bedie (aka HKB), the [...]

NIGERIA IVORY COAST Politics 04/04/2018

Obasanjo urges Soro to be more of a team player

Olusegun Obasanjo took advantage of his trip to Abidjan on 27 March to meet Guillaume Soro, who is at loggerheads [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 21/03/2018

Marcel Amon Tanoh, the go-between with Bedie

The Ivorian foreign minister Marcel Amon Tanoh is one of the few envoys whom President Alassane Ouattara entrusts with conveying [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 21/03/2018

Soro resists Ouattara's charms

Alassane Ouattara has launched a charm offensive aimed at bringing [...]

CONGO BENIN Politics 21/03/2018

Boni Yayi in talks with Sassou

Thomas Boni Yayi spent a long time discussing the political [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 21/03/2018

Gon Coulibaly on a mission

PM Amadou Gon Coulibaly has received the go-ahead from President [...]

IVORY COAST Mining 13/03/2018

Souleymane Diarrassouba, not one to rock the ministry's boat

Souleymane Diarrassouba, brought in to head the Ivory Coast's ministry [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 21/02/2018

Is Soro envisaging 2020 without the Rassemblement des Republicains?

Although he is the deputy chairman of the Rassemblement des [...]

IVORY COAST Mining 13/02/2018

Ivorian gold within IronRidge's sights

Australian junior IronRidge Resources, steered by Vincent Mascolo , is now set up to start gold exploration in the Ivory [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 07/02/2018

Jean-Louis Billon, the regime's new tormentor

The former trade minister Jean-Louis Billon, free to speak his mind since his departure from the government last July, is [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 24/01/2018

Simon Soro seeks the support of brother Guillaume

On 20 January, the president of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) La Vie, Simon Yedjosssigue Soro, appealed to his elder brother [...]

IVORY COAST Diplomacy Document 10/01/2018

A good return on investment for Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

The visit of the Emir of Qatar to Abidjan has tangibly strengthened his kingdom's relations with Abidjan, to the detriment of Riyadh. [...]

IVORY COAST Mining 26/12/2017

How Atex Mining got hold of Boundiali lithium

The good relations Atex Mining Resources' shareholders enjoy with the entourage of Bruno Kone, Ivorian minister of communication, digital economy [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 22/11/2017

The true behind-the-scenes story of the Ouattara-Soro tete-à-tete

The meeting between Alassane Ouattara and Guillaume Soro at the [...]

TOGO IVORY COAST Politics 22/11/2017

Hamed Bakayoko cosies up to Faure Gnassingbe

The close ties between Hamed Bakayoko and Faure Gnassingbe were [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 08/11/2017

Ouattara and Bedie contradict each other over a united party

The president will not be standing for re-election himself, but he fully intends to have a say over his succession. Analysis. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 25/10/2017

Guillaume Soro sticks implacably to his political agenda

After two long months spent in Europe, Guillaume Soro returned to Abidjan on 22 October. The speaker of the Ivorian [...]

Breaking newsIVORY COAST 17/10/2017

Ouattara and Soro on talking terms again

President Alassane Ouattara recently spoke on the telephone to Guillaume Soro for the first time since the end of June. [...]

IVORY COAST Business 11/10/2017

Operators bang their heads against the PPU brick wall

Ivorian and foreign companies who won contracts within the framework [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 11/10/2017

Hamed Bakayoko's team is operational - at last

The minister of defence has finally formed his cabinet, three months after his appointment. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 27/09/2017

Hamed Bakayoko: a Grand Master of ‘false brethren'!

The minister of defence is on the warpath against indiscreet elements in his lodge. [...]

IVORY COAST Business 13/09/2017

Yerim Sow stirs up the cement workers

Yerim Sow, the CEO of Teylium (banking, agribusiness, property) has [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 13/09/2017

Hostilities between Ouattara and Soro escalate

By boycotting the third congress of the Rassemblement des Republicains [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 13/09/2017

Niamien N'Goran is back!

The vice president of the Parti Democratique de Cote d'Ivoire [...]

IVORY COAST Business 30/08/2017

Yves Kone, Gon Coulibaly's man, at the head of the CCC

The appointment on 2 August of the agricultural engineer Yves [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 30/08/2017

Hamed Bakayoko left juggling Alain-Richard Donwahi's hot potatoes

The new defence minister is faced with managing several toxic dossiers bequeathed by his predecessor. A brief survey. [...]

AFRICA Politics 26/07/2017

Africa's leaders are off on their summer holidays

As is the annual tradition, Africa's presidents are taking a few days off. [...]

Spotlight

IVORY COAST Politics 01/03/2017

The "Trojan War" is already happening!

Even if any discussion of Alassane Ouattara’s succession in 2020 remains an absolute taboo in his party, the Rassemblement des Republicains (RDR), his three potential dauphins - Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly alias " AGC" , the Speaker of the [. [...]

IVORY COAST Politics 04/01/2017

Soro set to see off challengers

Several people covet the post of National Assembly speaker but the odds favour the former rebel leader staying put. [...]

Spotlight

AFRICA Politics 20/04/2016

African presidents reach for the sky

African heads of state clearly see owning their own aircraft as a symbol of sovereignty and power. But all aircraft, just like presidents, obviously can't claim the same standing. Quattara the champion - When it comes to aviation trophies, Ivory [. [...]

Spotlight

IVORY COAST Politics 21/11/2012

Ouattara caught in the middle

Even if Alassane Ouattara did warn Henri Konan Bedie on November 13 that he wanted to dissolve Prime Minister Jeannot Ahoussou’s government, the speed and the scope of the move which became public the next day took many by surprise. [...]

Spotlight

IVORY COAST Politics 30/05/2012

Political parties struggle with change

Since the death of President Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993, the balance of power between Ivory Coast’s political parties has shifted. However President Alassane Ouattara’s Rassemblement des Republicains (RDR), the Parti Democratique de Cote d’Ivoire (PDCI), which was Ivory Coast’s sole [. [...]

Receive free prompts for these topics

IVORY COAST
Alain-Richard Donwahi
Alassane Ouattara
Amadou Gon Coulibaly
Denis Sassou-Nguesso
Faure Gnassingbe
Forces nouvelles
Gnassingbe Eyadema
Guillaume Soro
Hamed Bakayoko
Henri Konan Bedie
Parti Democratique de Cote d'Ivoire
Patrice Talon
Rassemblement des Houphouetistes pour la Democratie et la Paix
Rassemblement des Republicains
Thomas Boni Yayi

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Ouattara stokes hostilities between Soro and Bakayoko with 2020 in mind

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Receive free prompts for these topics

Why Turkey's Karpowership hasn't yet produced a single megawatt Free

Space constraints inspire grand designs in defence minister Téné Birahima Ouattara

Construction king Bonkoungou gives wings to Ouattara's presidential campaign

Presidential election: Adama Bictogo, the real driver of Alassane Ouattara's campaign

Lebanese giant Arabian Construction Co takes first steps in Africa

Political allies desert Alassane Ouattara over his backing for Amadou Gon Coulibaly

Alassane Ouattara keen to remain at helm of RHDP

Stéphane Konan leaves Abidjan far behind

Marcel Amon Tanoh in firing line of Alassane Ouattara

Alassane Ouattara's proposal to Guillaume Soro

Eric N'Guessan is new head of Ernst & Young

Weakened within the RHDP, Amadou Gon Coulibaly beefs up his PR

Alassane Ouattara wages a double campaign

Macky Sall plays the mediator between Alassane Ouattara and Guillaume Soro

Alassane Ouattara plays musical chairs with his security chiefs

Patrice Talon sought to influence make-up of new Ivorian government

Alassane Ouattara's 2020 electoral manoeuvres

Guillaume Soro in exile?

Francois Boko's difficult path to presidency

Guess what of February 27, 2019 Free

Thomas Boni Yayi vs Patrice Talon: the return match

Soro cosies up to Bedie

Paul Kagame takes close interest in Abidjan political rift

Jean-Marc Yace bestrides politics and business

Guillaume Soro turns his back on Alassane Ouattara

Minister of mines shown the door?

Hamed Bakayoko the mediator

Agbeyome Kodjo gives his party a makeover

Ouattara and Soro at loggerheads

JCDecaux is streets ahead in Abidjan

The palace dashes Saf Cacao's hopes

Limam Chafi, Boni Yayi and Adam Toure, the African emissaries working for rival Gulf brothers

Maurice Kakou Guikahue makes waves

Will Ouattara manage to shut out his ‘friend' Bedie by 2020?

Why Thierry Tanoh almost lost his oil portfolio?

Faure takes a break in Assinie

Prime minister keeps Perseus waiting over Sisingue

MP Ali Kader Coulibaly picked to douse tensions at Randgold mine

Henri Konan Bedie and Alassane Ouattara strive to avoid a clash

Obasanjo urges Soro to be more of a team player

Marcel Amon Tanoh, the go-between with Bedie

Soro resists Ouattara's charms

Boni Yayi in talks with Sassou

Gon Coulibaly on a mission

Souleymane Diarrassouba, not one to rock the ministry's boat

Is Soro envisaging 2020 without the Rassemblement des Republicains?

Ivorian gold within IronRidge's sights

Jean-Louis Billon, the regime's new tormentor

Simon Soro seeks the support of brother Guillaume

A good return on investment for Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani

How Atex Mining got hold of Boundiali lithium

The true behind-the-scenes story of the Ouattara-Soro tete-à-tete

Hamed Bakayoko cosies up to Faure Gnassingbe

Ouattara and Bedie contradict each other over a united party

Guillaume Soro sticks implacably to his political agenda

Ouattara and Soro on talking terms again

Operators bang their heads against the PPU brick wall

Hamed Bakayoko's team is operational - at last

Hamed Bakayoko: a Grand Master of ‘false brethren'!

Yerim Sow stirs up the cement workers

Hostilities between Ouattara and Soro escalate

Niamien N'Goran is back!

Yves Kone, Gon Coulibaly's man, at the head of the CCC

Hamed Bakayoko left juggling Alain-Richard Donwahi's hot potatoes

Africa's leaders are off on their summer holidays

The "Trojan War" is already happening!

Soro set to see off challengers

African presidents reach for the sky

Ouattara caught in the middle