Côte d’Ivoire: the rhdp’s political ascendancy and consolidation of power
The making of the RHDP
The Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) has emerged as the dominant political force in Côte d’Ivoire, establishing itself as a hegemonic power over two decades. Initially conceived as a broad alliance to unite the heirs of the nation’s founding father, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the RHDP began as a strategic coalition. This political grouping was notably formed through the rapprochement of former rivals Alassane Ouattara and Henri Konan Bédié, who joined forces to confront a common adversary, Laurent Gbagbo. Over time, the RHDP successfully transitioned from its origins in the opposition ranks to holding the reins of state power, profoundly reshaping the Ivorian political landscape and solidifying its unparalleled influence.
