President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé and his cabinet, clearing the way for a new government after legislative elections delivered a commanding parliamentary majority to the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP).
The reshuffle comes after the RHDP secured 197 of 255 seats — more than three-quarters of the National Assembly — in the Dec. 27 vote, according to provisional results cited by Reuters. The victory, Ouattara’s allies say, strengthens the administration’s mandate to push investment-led growth and execute major public works, while critics warn it further entrenches the ruling bloc’s dominance amid a weakened, fragmented opposition.
Ouattara accepted the resignations following a cabinet meeting in Abidjan, formally ending the government’s mandate while instructing ministers to continue handling day-to-day affairs until a new team is announced — expected before the end of the month, according to Africanews and Ecofin Agency.
Addressing outgoing ministers, Ouattara said the election results reflected strong public backing but urged his team to speed up development projects and improve living conditions, signalling continuity rather than a major policy pivot. Africanews reported that most ministers won their parliamentary races and are widely expected to be reappointed, limiting the likelihood of sweeping changes.
Attention is now shifting to a set of high-stakes political appointments that could shape succession planning in the coming years. In the weeks ahead, lawmakers are expected to elect a new National Assembly speaker, while Ouattara could also name a vice president — a position viewed as crucial because it sits next in the line of succession.
Ouattara, who was re-elected in October with about 89.77% of the vote in provisional results, has begun what Africanews described as what is expected to be his final term under the current constitution.
The legislative election was marked by low turnout (about 35%), Reuters said, and came against a backdrop of opposition infighting and boycotts by some political forces, dynamics that analysts say have reduced the competitiveness of national contests.
