Pillar of the Alassane Ouattara regime, Hamed Bakayoko, 55, was appointed prime minister on Thursday, July 30, three months before the presidential election, and three weeks after the sudden disappearance of Amadou Gon Coulibaly, of whom he was acting. Perceived as the “Mr. Security” of the regime, he will retain his function as Minister of Defense, according to the press release from the presidency which announced his appointment.
“The President of the Republic proceeded with the signing of a decree appointing Mr. Hamed Bakayoko as Prime Minister, Head of Government, Minister of Defense”, according to this press release signed by Secretary General of the Presidency Patrick Achi .
A long-time close to President Ouattara, Hamed Bakayoko has been Minister of Defense since 2017, after having become, since Mr. Ouattara took power, Minister of the Interior from 2011 to 2017.
Pivotal role within the party!
“Hambak” is also mayor of Abobo, one of the two most populous municipalities of Abidjan and Ivory Coast since 2018, which he won in a municipal election marked nationwide by de numerous acts of violence and accusations of fraud.
Popular figure in Ivory Coast, reputed to be a bon vivant, his name had circulated as a possible candidate of the ruling party for the October presidential election, before Amadou Gon Coulibaly was appointed in March. After the latter’s unexpected death from a heart attack, Mr. Bakayoko was appointed to act as the prime minister.
“His appointment comes as no surprise since he was acting and was previously number two in government,” notes political scientist Arthur Banga.
“He is best placed to play the pivotal role of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace, in view of the presidential election, after the disappearance of Mr. Gon Coulibaly,” said political scientist Sylvain N’Guessan. But his appointment took time because it aroused reservations among some RHDP executives, especially those close to Gon with whom there was a rivalry. President Ouattara had to smooth things over.
“This appointment, however, puts him out of the running for the presidential election, in case Ouattara does not run again,” said N’Guessan. Because the head of state is likely to run for president for a third term. Wednesday, before the political council of the RHDP which urged him to represent himself, he announced to postpone his decision, invoking the time of the necessary mourning after the death of his “son” Amadou Gon Coulibaly. Before adding: “I am with you (…), you know that I have never disappointed you.”
He has his entrances everywhere!
Hamed Bakayoko has a long political and ministerial experience. He has campaigned with Alassane Ouattara since his youth, joining his party, the Rassemblement des Républicains (RDR) from its founding in 1994. He headed its press organ, the daily Le Patriote. He then became minister of new information and communication technologies in the governments of national unity from 2003 to 2011, during the decade of Ivorian crisis.
“During the three-month period until the presidential election, he will have to take up the challenge of bringing the opposition to the negotiating table, of resuming a political dialogue in order to achieve a peaceful election,” said Arthur Banga.
The opposition considers that the Independent Electoral Commission and its local variations, responsible for organizing the presidential election, are unbalanced in favor of power, despite a reform carried out in 2019. The opposition also disputes the right of Alassane Ouattara to run for office. third term.
“Hambak has the assets to succeed: he has his entrances everywhere, including within the opposition. Because of his atypical career and his long political experience, he has friendships beyond his camp,” Judge Mr. Banga.
The political situation is tense in Ivory Coast three months before the presidential election, ten years after the post-electoral crisis which left 3,000 dead.
Reference: https://magazinedelafrique.com/politique/cote-divoire-hamed-bakayoko-nouveau-premier-ministre/
