Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara (C), flanked by newly re-elected Ivorian National Assembly president Guillaume Soro (L) and former Ivorian prime minister and newly appointed Ivory Coast’s Vice-President Daniel Kablan Duncan, walks out the National Assembly in Abidjan on January 10, 2017. Former Ivorian prime minister Kablan Duncan, who resigned along with his government on January 9, has been appointed Ivory Coast’s Vice-President on January 10, 2017. Ivory Coast initiated a post-election reshuffle on January 9 and fired the heads of its armed forces and police after a brief army mutiny that stoked security fears in the world’s top cocoa producer. / AFP PHOTO / ISSOUF SANOGO
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara on Tuesday named outgoing premier Daniel Kablan Duncan as the country’s first vice-president.
Making his announcement before parliament, which was meeting in special session, Ouattara described the 73-year-old as “devoted, a loyal collaborator” and “a patriot and great servant of the state.”
The new post of vice-president was set up under constitutional changes voted by referendum and approved in November.
Some analysts have said the new VP could be well-placed to step into Ouattara’s shoes in the future.
Duncan’s nomination comes a day after he and his government resigned following legislative elections in December.
A new prime minister has yet to be named.
Meanwhile former rebel leader Guillaume was re-elected parliament speaker on Monday.
Also on Monday, Ouattara fired the heads of the country’s armed forces and police after a brief army mutiny that stoked security fears in the world’s top cocoa producer.