The Ivorian Council of State held a seminar in Grand-Bassam on Thursday, April 16, 2026. Under the chairmanship of Mr. Yao Patrice Kouakou , this three-day meeting, entitled "The Council of State: Assessment, prospects and consolidation of achievements" , brings together the elite of the judicial body to define the new directions of the institution.

Looking to the past to build the future

Inaugurated in the presence of major figures in the justice system, this scientific workshop marks a turning point, six years after the first seminar in 2019. For President Yao, this conclave is a necessary step to assess the progress made since the creation of the institution by the organic law of 2020.

"It seems appropriate to take stock in order to evaluate all the activities of the Council of State, to draw the useful consequences and to project into the future," he stated, recalling that his mandate remains guided by a clear triptych: Relevance, Fruitfulness and Prestige.

Legal issues at the heart of the debates

The aim of this work is to subject the performance of the High Court to critical analysis. The judges, court clerks, and experts present will address crucial and complex themes, reflecting the changes in Ivorian society:

1. Land disputes: Facing the rapid urbanization of the country.
2. Public procurement: Towards better regulation and transparency.
3. Case law: Standardizing the writing of decisions and affirming the role of the administrative judge as guarantor of legality.

Leadership praised

The chairman of the organizing committee, Koutou Aka Thomas , took the opportunity to pay tribute to the leadership of Mr. Yao Patrice Kouakou. He emphasized the magistrate's ability to have "given substance" to this young institution, elevating it to the rank of a pillar of the administrative order in record time.

Towards a new judicial compass

The work, which will conclude this Saturday, is expected to result in a report of strategic recommendations. This document is anticipated as the new "compass" for the Council of State, aimed at sustainably strengthening the rule of law and the effectiveness of administrative justice in Côte d'Ivoire.