Côte d’Ivoire: the rhdp’s journey from coalition to political powerhouse

Le président ivoirien et chef du RHDP, Alassane Ouattara, en campagne pour un quatrième mandat, à Abidjan, le 23 octobre 2025.

the making of the rhdp

What began as a grand assembly intended to unite the heirs of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, long fractured by disputes over his legacy, has transformed into a formidable political entity. The Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) initially emerged as a coalition, bringing together former rivals Alassane Ouattara and Henri Konan Bédié to collectively oppose Laurent Gbagbo. Over approximately two decades, the RHDP has ascended from the opposition ranks to the pinnacle of power, firmly establishing itself as the dominant force in Côte d’Ivoire’s political landscape.

Key Figures and Parties:

  • Tidjane Thiam
  • Alassane Ouattara
  • Parti Démocratique de Côte d’ivoire (PDCI)
  • RHDP