In Ivory Coast’s political landscape, former minister Tidjane Thiam has officially assumed his role as the head of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI). He was elected during a congress held on December 22, 2023, in Yamoussoukro.
In a purely symbolic ceremony, after the customary protocols, Sylvestre Emmou, the head of the transition committee, provides an overview of the party’s life. He communicates two urgent priorities to the members: “Political, judicial, and administrative actions could definitively halt the fraudulent use of the PDCI logo by the RHDP (Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace). The second urgent issue is the reform of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) and the electoral code.”
Reorganizing the Party
Next, the interim president, Professor Philippe Cowppli-Bony, passes the baton to Tidjane Thiam. He hands over a box containing documents, including the PDCI statutes. Tidjane Thiam outlines his priorities: organizing the funeral of former President Henri Konan Bédié and reorganizing the party. “Great battles are built on unity and discipline. In this spirit, we will traverse every corner of Ivory Coast to loudly proclaim the message of PDCI-RDA, namely, to do politics differently. We need everyone. We must listen to everyone. Together, we will undoubtedly succeed. I am committed to strengthening the party’s internal democracy through the promotion of a participatory and inclusive decision-making process.”
Membership Campaign
In early January, the PDCI recruited nearly 4,000 new members, primarily individuals under 60 years old. The party plans to launch a caravan across the country after the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) to continue this membership campaign.