In the aftermath of a 2025 marked by electoral tensions and a democratic backsliding denounced by the opposition, the president of the PDCI-RDA, Tidjane Thiam, presented his New Year's wishes to the Nation.

Between a critical assessment of the electoral process and future prospects, the leader of the PDCI, the oldest party in Ivory Coast, announced a profound reform of his political apparatus to meet the challenges of 2026.

The time has come for reflection and reorganization for the Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI-RDA). In a solemn address marking the beginning of 2026, Tidjane Thiam revisited the events that shook the country during the presidential election of October 25, 2025.

In his message, he delivered a scathing indictment of the 2025 electoral process, particularly the presidential election in October and the legislative elections on December 27. The PDCI president did not mince words regarding the conduct of these recent elections.

Lamenting a "democratic setback," he pointed to the lack of revision of the electoral list in 2025, in violation of existing legal provisions. According to him, this situation, coupled with the elimination of key candidates and the financial strangulation of the opposition, has undermined the credibility of the election.

As proof of popular disapproval, Tidjane Thiam cited the figures from the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) during the legislative elections: "A participation of 18% in Abidjan, or 82% abstention, convinces us that we cannot give up fighting for the advent of a democracy that respects rights."

One of the key points of his message was the demand for the release of party officials currently in detention. Tidjane Thiam specifically mentioned the party spokesperson, Brédoumy Soumaïla Traoré, and the youth president, Yao Innocent. Both were elected to parliament while behind bars, a message the PDCI leader described as "clear and unambiguous."

Rejecting a boycott strategy to avoid chaos, the PDCI-RDA is now positioning itself as the "main and sole political force of the opposition" in Parliament. To assume this role, Tidjane Thiam has officially launched a comprehensive restructuring of the party.

“The PDCI-RDA must and will change to better serve Côte d'Ivoire,” he declared. He instructed the party's executive secretariat to submit to him, as soon as possible, concrete reforms aimed at strengthening its responsiveness to the grassroots and the aspirations of its members.

The president of the PDCI plans, in his policy, to give a prominent place to youth and women, pillars of the 2025 mobilization; and to modernize the organization of the party with "method and discipline".

This restructuring comes as the PDCI-RDA prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary in April 2026. Faithful to the legacy of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Tidjane Thiam reiterated his belief in peace and dialogue to rebuild national trust.

Looking ahead to this oak jubilee, the opposition leader intends to transform the challenges of 2025 into a lever for renewal, making the PDCI "the only credible alternative" to the RHDP for the years to come.