In Cote d’Ivoire, the newly elected president of the national assembly – Amadou Soumahoro led the first ordinary parliamentary session of the new Ivorian legislature.

Declaring the 2021 legislative session open Thursday, the president of the assembly urged the MPs to promote parliamentary debates with respect for democratic rules and in the best interest of the nation.

In attendance was the Ivorian Prime Minister Patrick Achi, who represented the Head of State – Allasane Ouattara.

Achi’s words echoed on the need to respect different views, accountability and to take into account the deepest aspirations of the people.

Addressing the question of the representativeness of women in Parliament, Soumahoro, indicated that the current legislature has 32 women MPs, against 29 in the previous house. 

He however, remains convinced that this trend will quickly improve, to give women their full place in the institution.