Abidjan, January 24, 2026 – Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara carried out a significant but largely continuity-focused Cabinet reshuffle on Friday, January 23, 2026, creating the new position of deputy prime minister and appointing his younger brother, Téné Birahima Ouattara, to the role while retaining him as defense minister. The move, announced via an official statement from the Presidency, follows Ouattara's re-election in October 2025 and the decisive victory of his Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party in December's legislative elections, which secured a strong parliamentary majority.
The reshuffle came just two days after Ouattara reappointed Robert Beugré Mambé as prime minister on January 21, 2026. Mambé, who had served in the position since October 2023, submitted the resignation of the previous government following the president's re-election, a customary protocol in the Ivorian system. Upon reappointment, Mambé was tasked with forming a new government team, resulting in the 35-member Cabinet unveiled on Friday. The composition signals a strong emphasis on stability and experience, with most senior ministers retained in their key portfolios amid ongoing economic reforms, infrastructure development, and regional security challenges.
Téné Birahima Ouattara, the president's brother and a long-time close ally, was elevated to the newly created post of deputy prime minister while continuing to hold the influential Defense Ministry portfolio. This dual role positions him as a key figure in government hierarchy, assisting Prime Minister Mambé and overseeing national security matters. Téné Birahima Ouattara has held the defense portfolio since 2020 and is widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures in the administration due to his control over the armed forces and close familial ties to the president. In a statement following the announcement, he expressed gratitude for the honor and pledged to work loyally in service of the nation.
The reshuffle maintained continuity in critical ministries. Vagondo Diomandé retained the Interior and Security Ministry, responsible for domestic stability and law enforcement. Sansan Kambilé remained as justice minister, overseeing legal reforms and the judiciary. Adama Coulibaly continued in the Budget and Portfolio Ministry, central to fiscal policy and economic planning. These retentions underscore the president's preference for experienced technocrats in roles vital to governance and economic management.
One notable change involved Niale Kaba, who was shifted from the Planning and Development Ministry to head the Foreign Affairs Ministry. This move reflects strategic adjustments in diplomatic priorities, as Ivory Coast navigates relations within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union, and with global partners amid regional instability in the Sahel and cocoa-driven economic interests.
The Cabinet includes 34 ministers in total (including the deputy prime minister and four delegated ministers), with several new faces and promotions introduced to refresh the team while preserving core continuity. The government structure features the prime minister at the head, supported by the deputy prime minister, and ministers covering key sectors such as economy, health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. The first Council of Ministers meeting under the new lineup was expected to convene soon to outline priorities for the president's second term.
Ouattara, aged 84, secured a third term in the October 2025 presidential election with over 94% of the vote in a contest boycotted by major opposition parties, who cited concerns over electoral fairness and constitutional term limits. The RHDP's strong performance in the December legislative polls further solidified the president's political dominance, providing a comfortable majority in the National Assembly to advance his agenda. His administration has focused on transforming Ivory Coast into an emerging economy, with sustained GDP growth averaging around 6-8% in recent years, driven by cocoa exports, oil production, and infrastructure projects.
Critics, including opposition figures and civil society groups, have raised questions about the appointment of family members to high office, viewing it as a sign of nepotism and concentration of power. However, supporters argue that Téné Birahima Ouattara's long service and loyalty justify the elevation, and the overall reshuffle prioritizes competence over drastic change. The creation of the deputy prime minister post is seen as an innovation to strengthen executive coordination, particularly in a government managing complex security threats from jihadist groups in northern border areas and economic pressures from global commodity markets.
Ivory Coast, West Africa's largest economy and top cocoa producer, faces ongoing challenges including youth unemployment, climate impacts on agriculture, and the need to diversify beyond raw exports. The retained economic team is expected to push forward reforms in public finance, digitalization, and private sector investment to sustain momentum toward middle-income status.
The reshuffle has been described by analysts as a pragmatic balancing act: rewarding loyalty, elevating trusted figures, and signaling stability to investors and international partners. With a solid legislative backing and a familiar Cabinet lineup, Ouattara's administration appears poised to pursue its development vision amid a relatively calm post-election period.
As the new government settles in, attention will turn to policy implementation and whether the continuity approach delivers tangible improvements for Ivorian citizens. The president's decision to blend familial trust with institutional experience highlights the personal and political dynamics shaping governance in one of Africa's most stable and prosperous nations.
