The following report highlights Ivorians netizens’ reactions to various events, including news that the prime minister upheld the life pension of a former Speaker of the National Assembly and the return of the Defense Minister after two weeks of medical treatment in France. The report includes background information to add context to the discussions.
Politics
Former House Speaker Accuses Prime Minister of Upholding Life Pension
On 22 August, Souley de Paris-B52, a cyber activist close to former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, posted on his Facebook page with more than 350,000 followers, that Mamadou Koulibaly, a former Speaker of the National Assembly, accused Prime Minister Patrick Achi of upholding his pension entitlements. Koulibaly said that he is entitled to a life pension of approximately $7,000 as a former president of an institution. As at 1100 GMT on 23 August, the post generated more than 1,900 likes, 300 comments, and was shared 1,000 times. The majority of the comments expressed solidarity with Koulibaly.
Background: Mamadou Koulibaly is a former Speaker of the National Assembly under former President Laurent Gbagbo. He recently resigned as the mayor of the town of Azaguie in the south of Cote d’Ivoire. Reports said that he decided to resign after the prime minister informed him of the deduction of approximately $7,000 from his monthly pension.
Defense Minister Returns From France After Medical Treatment
On 22 August, the Facebook page of privately owned website Koaci.com, with more than 191,000 followers, posted that Defense Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara returned to Cote d’Ivoire on the night of 21 August after two weeks of medical treatment in France. As at 1100 GMT on 23 August, the post generated 39 likes, nine comments, and was shared four times. Some of the comments welcomed the news while others expressed indifference.
Background: Birahima Ouattara is the junior brother of President Alassane Ouattara. Reports said that he had contracted the COVID-19 after being in contact with a sick person.
