The axe has fallen, and it remained largely out of the public eye for a long time. By a decree signed on January 7, 2026, but only revealed belatedly, President Alassane Ouattara formalized the elimination of twelve of the country's fourteen autonomous districts . This decision brings to an end an institutional framework that lasted only five years.

Only Abidjan and Yamoussoukro survived

At the starting line for 2021, only two remain: Cissé Bacongo (Abidjan) and Augustin Thiam (Yamoussoukro). For the other twelve governors, the adventure comes to an abrupt end.

While most of these historical figures of the RHDP now find themselves without official positions, only one has managed to emerge unscathed: Gaoussou Touré (former governor of Denguélé), appointed Mediator of the Republic on March 10th. For the others, from Raymonde Goudou Coffie to Philippe Legré, the time has come for forced withdrawal.

The names of the outgoing personalities

The administrative reorganization excludes key figures from the presidential majority:

1. Raymonde Goudou Coffie (Lakes)
2. Philippe Legré (Bas-Sassandra)
3. Pascal Abinan Kouakou (Comoé)
4. Louis André Dacoury-Tabley (Goh-Djiboua)
5. Vincent Lohoues (Lagunes)
6. Albert Flindé (Mountains)
7. Mathieu Babaud Darret (Sassandra-Marahoué)
8. Issa Coulibaly (Savanes)
9. Jean Claude Kouassi (Bandama Valley)
10. Moussa Dosso (Woroba)
11. Souleymane Touré (Zanzan)

Crisis management for staff

The decree specifies that the assets and staff of these structures will not simply disappear: they will be reassigned to local authorities and administrative districts. The Prime Minister is now responsible for managing this complex transition.

Between discretion and criticism

It's the method used that's causing outrage. The text wasn't formally announced but was discovered through the Official Journal. For the opposition, this backpedaling is an admission of a costly failure.

"Was it really necessary to distribute so many billions only to finally acknowledge that these positions were a drain on the budget?" asks Roger Youan, close to MP Assalé Tiémoko, pointing to a "waste of public funds".

Launched to bring the state closer to the people, these districts seem never to have found their place in the Ivorian institutional landscape. This withdrawal marks a major turning point in Alassane Ouattara's decentralization strategy.