The Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the nation’s leading opposition political force, has once again urged for comprehensive political discussions with the administration of President Alassane Ouattara. This renewed call for Côte d’Ivoire political dialogue aims to tackle pressing national concerns. Central among these issues are the establishment of a truly independent electoral body and facilitating the return of PDCI-RDA leader, Cheick Tidjane Thiam, to Côte d’Ivoire.
This significant appeal originated from Deputy Bredoumy Soumaïla Kouassi Traoré, who serves as the spokesperson for the PDCI-RDA. He conveyed this message during a press briefing held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the party’s headquarters situated in Cocody, eastern Abidjan.
“We are advocating for a form of political dialogue with the government to confront the challenges currently facing the nation. We stand ready to engage in any political discussion that will lead to the creation of a new electoral commission, one that operates with genuine independence. The PDCI remains steadfastly vigilant and insists that this new body must be endowed with authentic autonomy,” the PDCI-RDA spokesperson emphasized during his interaction with journalists.
Addressing remarks made by certain party officials and activists who have increasingly called for a rapprochement between the PDCI-RDA and Alassane Ouattara’s Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), Mr. Bredoumy clarified that these sentiments do not reflect the party’s official stance, which is guided by its president, Tidjane Thiam.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged, “we do not dismiss such possibilities.”
“The PDCI is fundamentally a party of dialogue. Therefore, we do not perceive ourselves as having enemies,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Mr. Bredoumy expressed his concern over the recent crisis impacting Côte d’Ivoire’s vital coffee-cocoa sector. He also offered an analysis of the country’s National Development Plan (PND) for 2026-2030, deeming certain aspects of it to be unrealistic.
Regarding the formation in early May of an internal faction within the PDCI, known as ‘Héritiers pour la démocratie et la légalité’ (HDL), led by Valérie Yapo, Mr. Bredoumy maintained that “the PDCI’s statutes do not permit the existence of such internal currents.”
Concerning the conditions for the return of Tidjane Thiam, the PDCI-RDA president, who has been outside Côte d’Ivoire for several months, the party spokesperson indicated that “assurances” are necessary for his safe return.
“When Tidjane Thiam is subjected to insults, it is the entire PDCI that is being insulted,” stated Mr. Bredoumy, who also holds the position of Vice-President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire.
The PDCI-RDA spokesperson concluded his press conference by reaffirming his party’s unwavering ambition “to once again lead the country.”
