Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, on Friday named a new Cabinet, appointing his brother, Defense Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara, to the newly created portfolio of deputy prime minister, according to a statement by the president’s office.
The reshuffle came two days after Ouattara reappointed Robert Beugre Mambe as prime minister. Birahima Ouattara will serve alongside the old defense portfolio.
The statement showed that the president maintained most senior ministers in key portfolios of the 35-member Cabinet.
Vagondo Diomande retained the Interior and Security Ministry post, Sansam Kambile remained justice minister, while Adama Coulibaly retained the budget portfolio.
Niale Kaba was moved from the Planning Ministry to head the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Ouattara was reelected in October in the presidential election and his party, Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace, won a majority of seats in legislative polls in December.
