As a result of a general strike in early 2007, Kouyaté was nominated for the post of Prime Minister of Guinea on 26 February 2007. He was selected by President Lansana Conté from a list provided by trade union leaders.[2] On 1 March, he was sworn in as Prime Minister at a ceremony in Conakry; Conté was not present.[3] His government was named on 28 March, composed of 19 ministers and three secretaries of state; it contained none of the members of the old government.[4]