Ivory Coast: after the cabinet reshuffle, Albert Toikeusse Mabri isolated?

Text by: RFI Follow

The political event of the week in Côte d'Ivoire is the dismissal of the Minister of Higher Education Albert Toikeusse Mabri. The president of the UDPCI and 2nd vice-president of the RHDP had publicly expressed reservations during the nomination of Amadou Gon Coulibaly as candidate of the party in power last March 12. He had since been on an ejection seat.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Abidjan , Pierre Pinto

Several weeks of discussions and two meetings in the presence of Alassane Ouattara did not allow the refractory Minister for Higher Education to be brought into line. Albert Toikeusse Mabri, who is presumed to be a candidate for the presidential election, refused to give clear support to that of Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly. He also refused to dissolve his party, the UDPCI, in the RHDP. 

By bringing in the government Albert Flindé, Mabri's rival in the UDPCI, Alassane Ouattara applies his favorite tactic: to isolate an adversary by threatening his party with a split. The UDPCI is in the midst of a leadership crisis. Mabri also proclaimed last week an " exclusive  " spokesperson  for the party to "  preserve internal cohesion  ". Ouattara is also betting that Mabri no longer mobilizes as much in his mountainous western region and that his voters could follow the UDPCI ministers Flindé and Tchagba.

“  The challenge is also to cut him off. It will be difficult for Mabri to counter his rival Flindé who will have the means,  "comments political scientist Sylvain N'Guessan. In addition, under the new electoral code, if he wishes to be a presidential candidate, Mabri will have to reunite the sponsorships of 1% of the voters registered in 50% of the regions. "  It also requires resources. It's almost a campaign in itself,  ”adds Sylvain N'Guessan.

Anyway, since his departure from the government, Albert Toikeusse Mabri who is still 2nd vice-president of the RHDP, is discreet, taking care not to appear as a declared adversary of Alassane Ouattara. In 2010, the candidate Mabri had won only 2.6% of the presidential votes.

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Ivory Coast
• Ivory Coast Politics

On the same subject

Africa press review

In the News: Alassane Ouattara shuffles the cards at the top of the State

Giant debris fallen from the sky in Côte d'Ivoire: the investigation is ongoing

Ivory Coast: Prime Minister Coulibaly, treated in France, appears in a video