Ivory Coast’s political scene has entered a new era of strategic alliances as two of the country’s most influential opposition leaders—Tidjane Thiam of the PDCI-RDA and Laurent Gbagbo of the PPA-CI—formally united their parties in a joint front against the ruling RHDP.
The alliance, signed Thursday, has dominated Ivorian headlines, signaling a potent challenge to President Alassane Ouattara’s grip on power ahead of the next elections.
Under the banner of ensuring “peaceful, inclusive and transparent” elections, the PDCI-RDA and the PPA-CI announced their commitment to work together in confronting what they describe as a tightening political environment.
Le Nouveau Réveil ran the bold headline: “The PDCI-RDA and the PPA-CI Create a Common Front Against the RHDP,” while Le Bélier declared: “Thiam and Gbagbo Put an End to the RHDP’s Illusions.”
According to Dernière Heure Monde, Tidjane Thiam reaffirmed the alliance’s mission: “Our front will act to guarantee an inclusive election.”
The formation of the joint opposition front, however, has not been without controversy.
Commentators noted that the PDCI-RDA’s decision to align with the PPA-CI marks a departure from the CAP-CI coalition, which included other key opposition figures such as Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and Pascal Affi N’Guessan.
L’Avenir remarked that the move left the broader opposition fragmented, questioning the unity of anti-RHDP forces.
The ruling party responded swiftly. Cissé Bacongo, executive secretary of the RHDP and former mayor of Koumassi, lashed out at the alliance.
Speaking to Le Matin, he said, “We will not let these masked putschists rewrite the country’s history in their own way.”
Meanwhile, anticipation grows for the RHDP’s 2nd Ordinary Congress, set to take place on Saturday at the Parc des Expositions in Abidjan.
Le Patriote captured the tension with its headline: “With 24 Hours to Go Until the 2nd Congress, the Fever Is Rising…” and Le Jour Plus added a dramatic touch, quoting Ouattara supporters: “Alassane Ouattara: Just Say the Word and Your People Will Be Freed.”
As political temperatures rise, Ivorian voters brace for what could become a defining chapter in the country’s democratic journey.
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