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Vol 67 No 10

Published 15th May 2026


Famille Ouattara bets on a dynasty

The President’s promotion of his brother Téné as his successor is fracturing the ruling party along its oldest fault-lines

The more urgent the succession question becomes – President Alassane Dramane Ouattara turned 84 on 1 January – the more the ruling party will start to resemble a snake pit, a political veteran told Africa Confidential in Abidjan. Internecine attacks within the ruling Rassemblement des houphouëtistes pour la démocratie et la paix (RHDP) are likely to intensify if the Ouattaras persist in manoeuvring Alassane’s brusque and authoritarian younger brother, Téné Birahima, into the heart of power. Defence Minister Téné, known around Abidjan as ‘Photocopie’ for his physical resemblance to the President, would be a far from popular candidate.

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