Ivory Coast: the constitutional review process has started

President Alassane Ouattara during his speech before the Ivorian Congress on March 5 in Yamoussoukro. Sia KAMBOU / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

It was the aim of the meeting of the Parliament in Congress Thursday in Yamoussoukro and it had to be the central theme of the speech of Alassane Ouattara. The constitutional revision project presented by the Ivorian president was completely overshadowed by the announcement of his withdrawal from the presidential election, but the revision process has started well.

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With our correspondent in Abidjan, Pierre Pinto

In his speech Thursday, Alassane Ouattara presented the broad outlines of three main reforms. The first concerns the function of vice-president. He will be appointed by the new President of the Republic and no longer elected on a "ticket" as currently provided for in the Constitution.

Some of his prerogatives will also be changed, but he will remain the constitutional dolphin, we are assured to the government. Less than eight months from the presidential election, this reform could shake up the strategies of the political staffs.

A promulgation scheduled for March 18

Another reform envisaged: if it is impossible to organize parliamentary elections on time, the Parliament could remain in office until the elections. Some in Côte d'Ivoire see this as a sign that the government is considering the possibility of postponing the parliamentary elections scheduled for December.

The third reform presented Thursday March 5 concerns the judiciary. It aims to abolish the Supreme Court and to level the Court of Cassation, the Council of State and the Court of Auditors.

This revision project was adopted by the Council of Ministers this Friday. It will be on the table of parliamentarians gathered in Congress, from Monday. They can make amendments, but the executive is counting on a promulgation on March 18.

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  • Ivory Coast
  • Alassane Ouattara

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