Côte d'Ivoire: UCORECI Pushes for Better Conditions for Regional Councillors

The Union of Regional Councillors of Côte d'Ivoire (UCORECI) is stepping up its advocacy for better working conditions and benefits for regional advisors. On November 7, 2026, in Abidjan, UCORECI President Dr. Konan Kouamé Fabrice announced plans to lobby national authorities for improved compensation and conditions for elected regional officials. This push comes as the current status of regional advisors is deemed insufficient given their expanded responsibilities in the decentralization process.

Dr. Konan Kouamé Fabrice, also a regional councillor for Bélier, specified that UCORECI is seeking increased indemnities, health insurance, and a service passport to facilitate professional travel abroad. These demands aim to modernize the role of regional advisors and align their benefits with their growing importance in local governance. The announcement was made during UCORECI's ordinary general assembly at the Auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

The initiative has garnered support from various stakeholders. Ouattara Coulibaly Aminata, vice-president of the Hambol regional council, representing the president of the Assembly of Regions and Districts of Côte d'Ivoire (ARDCI), praised UCORECI's efforts and endorsed the push for better working conditions. She emphasized the need for enhanced support for regional advisors to effectively carry out their mandates.

However, the representative of the High Authority for Good Governance (HABG) urged that any improvement in the status of regional advisors must be tied to stricter requirements for transparency, integrity, and accountability in public resource management. This call ensures that enhanced benefits do not come at the expense of governance standards.

UCORECI was established on November 1, 2023, in Yamoussoukro. During its general assembly, the organization not only focused on the advocacy for regional advisors' status but also reviewed its first three years of activities and adopted new strategic orientations. This period of reflection is crucial for UCORECI as it seeks to consolidate its role in promoting the interests of regional councillors.

The push by UCORECI for the revaluation of regional councillors' status comes at a significant moment in Côte d'Ivoire's decentralization process. As local governments assume more responsibilities, the working conditions and capacities of regional advisors are under scrutiny. UCORECI's efforts aim to ensure that these elected officials are adequately equipped and compensated to meet the challenges of their roles.

Moving forward, UCORECI's advocacy will likely involve close collaboration with national authorities and other stakeholders. The organization's success in achieving its objectives could set a precedent for other groups representing local officials. The outcome of this initiative will be closely watched as it has implications for local governance and the effectiveness of decentralization efforts in Côte d'Ivoire.

Key points

• UCORECI seeks improved indemnities, health insurance, and service passports for regional advisors.