The Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA), the principal opposition force in Côte d’Ivoire, has once more urged the government of President Alassane Ouattara to initiate a political dialogue. This renewed appeal aims to tackle critical national challenges, notably the establishment of a new, genuinely independent electoral body and securing the conditions for the return of PDCI-RDA leader, Cheick Tidjane Thiam, to Côte d’Ivoire.
Deputy Bredoumy Soumaïla Kouassi Traoré, who serves as the official spokesperson for the PDCI-RDA, articulated this demand during a press conference. The event took place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the party’s headquarters situated in Cocody, located in the eastern part of Abidjan.
“We are advocating for a form of political dialogue with the authorities to address the issues currently afflicting our nation. We stand ready to engage in any political discussion that will lead to the creation of a new electoral body that is truly independent. The PDCI remains highly vigilant and insists that this new institution must operate with genuine autonomy,” the PDCI-RDA spokesperson emphasized during his interaction with the press.
Responding to comments from some party executives and activists who have increasingly called for a rapprochement between the PDCI-RDA and President Ouattara’s Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), Mr. Bredoumy clarified that these views do not represent the official stance of the party, which is articulated by its president, Tidjane Thiam.
Nevertheless, he affirmed: “We do not rule out such a possibility.”
“The PDCI is a party committed to dialogue. Therefore, we harbor no animosity,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Mr. Bredoumy highlighted the recent crisis impacting Côte d’Ivoire’s coffee-cocoa sector. He also offered an analysis of the country’s National Development Plan (PND) 2026-2030, expressing skepticism about the realism of certain aspects.
Regarding the formation earlier in May of an internal current within the PDCI, known as ”Héritiers pour la démocratie et la légalité” (HDL) led by Valérie Yapo, Mr. Bredoumy stated that “the statutes of the PDCI do not permit the existence of such internal factions.”
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.
“To insult Tidjane Thiam is to insult the entire PDCI,” remarked Mr. Bredoumy, who also serves as Vice-President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire.
The PDCI-RDA spokesperson concluded his press conference by reaffirming his party’s ambition “to once again lead the country.”