Ivory Coast : Alassane Ouattara and the dismissals, questions in Abidjan

Since several weeks, the Ivorian political environment lives to the rhythm of movements at the head of state institutions. Behind this game of musical chairs, a new strategy operated by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara.

On the banks of the Ebrié lagoon, informed observers of Ivorian politics are surprised by the latest departures at the top of the State. Two events call out. The departures of Patrick Achi, former prime minister, and Abdourahamane Cissé, former secretary general to the presidency. Two different profiles which do not allow us to draw real lessons. On the other hand, in its publication of 4 December 2023, the media Africa Intelligence affirms that Alassane Ouattara should continue his great “household”. The newspaper targets the Central Accounting Agency of the Treasury headed by Ali Kader Coulibaly, and the National Social Security Fund headed by Charles Kouassi. The day after the publication, and in the small Ivorian political environment it is incomprehension for some, joy for others, especially those who wait patiently or impatiently for their turn. For Constantin Sekongo the media's revelations are “remotely controlled and resembles relentless”. “We do not force the hand of the President of the Republic. Releasing elements in the media to make public opinion believe that they are facts is clumsy”. A nocturnal visitor to the Ivorian president who requires anonymity, he prefers to follow the results obtained by these two structures over the past ten years. “The president has always functioned like an American. That is to say, only take into consideration the balance sheet. Even if he remains a formidable political animal, its main objective is to ensure development and peace for the Ivorian nation., he told us.

Within the RHDP, the various readjustments made by the Ivorian president constitute a “message”, tells us an eminent party executive who requires anonymity. “President Alassane Ouattara through these dismissals reminds us that he remains the only captain on board and that he holds the boat very well. He reminds us of our respective missions, those of continuing tirelessly to work for the good of the nation”. According to our information, the general director of CNPS, Denis Charles Kouassi, DCK, would be very appreciated by the Ivorian president. The latter is said off, satisfied with the work done at the head of the national social security fund by DCK. According to the elements collected, the CNPS, during these 10 recent years has revalued retirement pensions respectively by almost 25% in 10 years. Work accident pensions have increased by almost 20 %. Family allowances frozen for approximately 30 years have been multiplied by three over these 10 last years, passing 1.500 FCFA to 5.000 FCFA per month and per child. Studies are currently underway to very soon increase the amount of family allowances to 7.500 f CFA per month and per child. The various positive results allowed the fund to strengthen the financial and monetary portfolio from 26 billion FCFA in 2012 to reach 748 billion FCFA in 2022. By integrating the real estate portfolio of 262 billion, the overall portfolio of the Institution is 1010 billion FCFA in 2022. Note that at the time when the question of retirement violently shook France, the change in the retirement age went from 55 it is a mark that we have given to this discipline which is our heritage 60 years. Thanks to the various reforms, the company's net income increased from 8,9 billion FCFA in 2012, to gradually reach 125 billion in 2021. For the year 2023, the CNPS has intensified the popularization of the social system for self-employed workers (RSTI ), opened new local agencies and in localities within the country, without forgetting that it has succeeded in increasing the investment policy in promising areas of the national economy.

Since the death of Henri Konan Bedié, informed observers had bet on a reconfiguration of the Ivorian political landscape. Nowadays, Alassane Ouattara remains the real captain on board. The Ivorian president, according to our information, could, lack of real dolphin, to run for another presidential term.

Wait and see.

Source: lsi-africa.com