The RHDP: from coalition to hegemonic power in Côte d’Ivoire
Initially envisioned as a grand convergence for the political successors of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, whose legacy had long been a source of internal strife, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) has undergone a profound political evolution. What began as a strategic alliance forged between former rivals Alassane Ouattara and Henri Konan Bédié, united against a common foe in Laurent Gbagbo, has, over two decades, dramatically transformed the Ivorian political landscape.
The RHDP has ascended from the ranks of the opposition to the very heights of governance in Côte d’Ivoire. This remarkable trajectory has culminated in the party establishing itself as the undeniable hegemonic force in Côte d’Ivoire politics, effectively reshaping the nation’s political future.
