Audio By Carbonatix
Ivory Coast Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan resigned and dissolved the government on Monday, a move that had been expected following elections last month but which was delayed two days by an army mutiny.
Duncan had been expected to stand down on Saturday but held off after dissident soldiers took over army bases in cities across the West African country on Friday demanding bonus payments.
It took 48 hours to reach the deal to quell the revolt in an army that is made up of government troops and former rebels and riven with divisions.
"I have tendered my resignation and that of the government," he said after a meeting with President Alassane Ouattara.
President Alassane Ouattara kept hold of his majority in the Dec. 18 parliamentary polls. However, legislative elections are usually followed by a change of government as a matter of procedure.
Ouattara is expected to name a new prime minister later on Monday evening.
Earlier, Guillaume Soro was re-elected as president of the National Assembly with 95 percent of the votes cast by deputies.
Soro led a rebellion that controlled the northern half of the country for years starting in 2002. He later served as prime minister between 2007 and 2012.
The government's dissolution paves the way for the implementation of measures contained in a new constitution.
Ivory Coast is French-speaking West Africa's largest and most prosperous economy, as well as the world's leading grower of cocoa. In 2011 it emerged from a spate of short wars and a protracted crisis lasting nearly a decade to retake its place as the economic engine of the region.
Ouattara signed a new constitution that had been approved by referendum into law in November, casting it as the way to ensure peace is maintained in Ivory Coast.
It modifies clauses in the old constitution that lay behind the conflict, especially concerning nationality requirements for presidential candidates.
Though largely resolved, the aftermath of the conflict has left the government hostage to an ill-disciplined and factionalised military, and Ouattara's inability to reign it in threatens to undermine its economic success.
Latest Stories
-
‘Apologise if you accept you erred’ – Political analyst tells Chief Justice
20 minutes -
Mahama’s board shake-up should not be linked to indiscipline – Akwatia MP
42 minutes -
‘My Police, Your Police, Our Police’: the Aboso fire and a lesson in Policing together
1 hour -
Parliament backs OSP probe into alleged GH¢70k payment to Patricia Appiagyei
1 hour -
Photos: Joy FM Back-to-School Fair buzzes with excitement, strong patronage on Day 2
2 hours -
Dissolving inactive SOE boards is justified – Dennis Miracles Aboagye
2 hours -
John Boadu: I am not contesting for president; I am contesting to make Bawumia President
2 hours -
Zoomlion begins post-flood disinfection exercise in West Gonja to curb health risks
2 hours -
When Lady Justice Counted Eight Years
2 hours -
SIGA reporting should distinguish commercial performance from public service – Yaw Appiah Lartey
2 hours -
SOEs must hold AGMs, not just submit audited accounts – Deloitte Partner
2 hours -
There are errors in SIGA report that affected its conclusions – Miracles Aboagye
3 hours -
Joy FM Back-to-School Fair gains momentum as Day 2 gets underway
3 hours -
Bright Simons fires back, rejects claims he used AI to critique SIGA report
3 hours -
SIGA did not conjure or manufacture figures – Prof Kpessa-Whyte
3 hours