Ivorian Prime Minister, Patrick Achi, has resigned from government of President Alassane Ouattara on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 in the commercial city of Abidjan.
After discussing the actions to control Covid-19, the security challenge linked to the sub-regional situation and the more recent challenges of the powerful external shock following the war between Ukraine and Russia, Mr. Patrick Achi presented his resignation.
“In this context of extreme international demand, whether sub-continental or global, you have clearly expressed your desire to carry out a reorganization of the government, I would therefore respectfully submit to you my resignation as Prime Minister as well as that of the whole government,” he said.
He took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the President of the Republic for what he termed as “unique opportunity” which offered him and the signal honor which granted him to work by his side, while affirming his “unwavering attachment” to his person.
In a response to the prime minister’s resignation, the Ivorian head of state, President Alassane Ouattara stated, “Mr. Prime Minister, you have just handed in your resignation as well as that of your government, I accept it in order to reinforce the effectiveness of the government’s action and to take account of the current world economic situation, I decided to reduce the number of government ministers,” Ouattara said.
He explained “that it is imperative to reduce state spending while redirecting it towards social and security resilience. The reduction in the number of ministers will certainly lead to the departure of some of you”, he said, he adds.
The Ivorian president told those who will not be reappointed to the new government that they have not been unworthy.
He then announced that he will appoint a new Prime Minister next week who will have to offer him a tight government of around thirty members and asked the ministers to expedite routine business.
Mr. Patrick Achi, appointed head of government following the death of the late Hamed Bakayoko, served just over a year in this position.
“I will proceed next week to the appointment of a new Prime Minister who will have to propose to me about thirty members in the meantime President Alassane Ouattara said following the resignation of Prime Minister Patrick Achi, during the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday April 13, 2022 at the presidential palace in Abidjan-Plateau.
The Head of State instructed the outgoing ministers to deal with current affairs and paid tribute to the ministers who will not be reappointed since the new government will have 30 members.
According to him, this new workforce is part of the dynamic to strengthen the effectiveness of government’s action and to take into account the current global economic situation.
“It is imperative to reduce state spending towards social and security resilience, the reduction in the number of ministers, of course, the departure of some of you I would like to extend my thanks to all of you for the work done because they will not be reappointed in the new government”, he explained.
He also added “I would like to tell you that you have not been unworthy looking at your experience, I am convinced that you will be able to continue to serve our country in other responsibilities”
