The Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), Côte d’Ivoire’s leading opposition political force, has issued a renewed plea for comprehensive political discussions with President Alassane Ouattara’s administration. This call aims to address pressing national challenges, specifically focusing on the establishment of a new, genuinely independent electoral commission and ensuring the safe return of PDCI-RDA leader, Cheick Tidjane Thiam, to Côte d’Ivoire.
This significant appeal was articulated by Deputy Bredoumy Soumaïla Kouassi Traoré, who serves as the spokesperson for the PDCI-RDA. He conveyed the party’s position during a press briefing held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the party’s headquarters situated in Cocody, a district in eastern Abidjan.
“We are advocating for a structured political dialogue with the ruling power to tackle the critical issues currently facing our nation. Our party stands ready to engage in any political discussion that will lead to the creation of a truly autonomous electoral body. The PDCI remains vigilant and insists that this new institution must operate with complete independence,” emphasized the PDCI-RDA spokesperson during his exchange with journalists.
Addressing recent statements from some party officials and activists advocating for closer ties 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 determined by its president, Tidjane Thiam.
Nevertheless, he affirmed, “we do not dismiss such possibilities.”
“The PDCI is fundamentally a party that champions dialogue. Therefore, we harbor no adversaries,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Mr. Bredoumy voiced concerns over the recent turmoil in Côte d’Ivoire’s vital coffee-cocoa sector. He also offered an analysis of the country’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030, highlighting certain aspects he considers impractical.
Regarding the emergence of an internal faction within the PDCI earlier in May, named ”Héritiers pour la démocratie et la légalité” (HDL) led by Valérie Yapo, Mr. Bredoumy reiterated that “the PDCI’s foundational texts do not permit the existence of such internal currents.”
Concerning the conditions for the repatriation of Tidjane Thiam, the PDCI-RDA president who has been outside Côte d’Ivoire for several months, the party spokesperson indicated that “assurances” are paramount for his return.
“To insult Tidjane Thiam is to insult the entire PDCI,” remarked Mr. Bredoumy, who also holds the position of Vice-President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire.
Concluding his press conference, the PDCI-RDA spokesperson confidently stated that his party “aspires to lead the nation once more.”
