Ivorian president appoints new vice president, reappoints premier

Patrick Achi returns to premiership just a week after giving his resignation

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) – The president of Ivory Coast on Tuesday appointed a new vice president and reappointed the prime minister, who tendered his resignation just last week.

Alassane Ouattara reappointed Patrick Achi at a meeting with the Senate in Yamoussoukro, the West African country’s political capital.

Ouattara had previously expressed the will to proceed with a reorganization of a tightened government of about 30 members and budget cuts given international strains.

A government spokesman said the new government will prioritize actions to control the coronavirus, security challenges related to the sub-regional situation, and powerful external shocks due to the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Achi, 66, was first appointed prime minister on March 26, 2021 by presidential decree, replacing his late predecessor Hamed Bakayoko.

The country’s new vice president, Tiemoko Meyliet Kone, is a former minister and current governor of the Central Bank of West African States.

Kone will soon be sworn into the post, which has been vacant for two years, according to the Ivorian president.

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