On the eve of Côte d’Ivoire’s 66th Independence Day, Yaya Fofana, through a powerful message addressed to the nation’s youth, delivered a call to action rooted in responsibility and commitment. Speaking on behalf of the Mouvement des Forces d’Avenir (MFA), he urged young Ivoirians to prioritise work, vocational training, discipline and rigour as the pillars of their personal and collective development.
Celebrating 66 years of sovereignty with a renewed vision
The 7th of August 1960 marked the birth of an independent Côte d’Ivoire under the visionary leadership of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Sixty-six years later, the nation pauses to honour the founders of the Republic while reaffirming its unwavering faith in a shared future. In this spirit, the MFA extends its respect to the Ivorian people and to compatriots across the diaspora, celebrating the diversity that defines the nation’s strength.
Honouring the guardians of peace and progress
Independence, the MFA emphasises, is not a static achievement but a living commitment renewed daily through collective effort and national cohesion. The movement pays tribute to the visionary leadership of Presidents Félix Houphouët-Boigny and Henri Konan Bédié, whose legacies continue to inspire the nation’s unity. Under the theme “Defence and Security Forces serving peace, unity and development”, the MFA underscores the indispensable role of the Armed Forces, Gendarmerie, Police, Customs, Forestry and other agencies that safeguard the Republic around the clock. Special recognition is reserved for the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terrorism in the northern regions and for the professionalism demonstrated during the October 2025 elections.
Yopougon as a symbol of national reconciliation
The decision to host national ceremonies in Yopougon sends a powerful message: Côte d’Ivoire knows no geographical or political divides. From Daloa to Korhogo, San-Pédro to Bondoukou, and Odienné to Abidjan, the heartbeat of the nation remains one. The MFA reaffirms this principle, rejecting the notion of conquered or punished territories. Instead, it champions a unified vision where every region contributes to the nation’s progress.
From political independence to full sovereignty
While 1960 secured Côte d’Ivoire’s political freedom, the MFA argues that the true challenge of the 21st century is achieving real sovereignty—economic, monetary, agricultural, energy, industrial, digital and cultural. The movement outlines ambitious targets: achieving 50% local processing of cocoa and 40% of cashew nuts by 2030, supported by a robust national industrial plan. In an era dominated by digital transformation, the MFA stresses the need to reclaim control over the nation’s narrative, ensuring that Côte d’Ivoire’s stories, history and debates are shaped from within rather than dictated from abroad.
Social justice: making growth tangible for all
Côte d’Ivoire’s macroeconomic performance is widely acknowledged, and the MFA welcomes this progress. Yet, the movement insists that true success is measured not in statistics but in the daily lives of citizens. It calls for 200,000 affordable housing units by 2030, the creation of at least 500,000 formal jobs for young people under 35 in the next five-year term, and stronger protection for the informal sector, which sustains eight out of ten Ivorians. Additionally, the MFA proposes the establishment of a dedicated Ministry for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to support grassroots economic growth.
Youth, diaspora and a united West Africa
Addressing the youth—who represent the majority of the population—the MFA delivers a direct message: “You are not spectators of this nation’s journey; you are its heirs and its architects.” Young Ivorians are urged to choose the path of hard work, disciplined training and unwavering commitment to building a stronger Côte d’Ivoire. To the diaspora, the MFA advocates for bold public policies that foster deeper integration, including cross-border banking solutions, tax incentives for productive investment, equitable access to public tenders and tailored political representation.
The MFA also highlights Côte d’Ivoire’s pivotal role in West Africa, calling for a revitalised ECOWAS capable of fostering renewed dialogue with Sahelian neighbours—Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Regional integration, it argues, is not a diplomatic luxury but a necessity for economic resilience and collective security.
Institutional renewal and generational transmission
The MFA welcomes President Alassane Ouattara’s pledge to open a generational transmission process, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen the nation’s institutions. This demands concrete actions: opening leadership roles to younger cadres trained since 2011, ensuring genuine gender representation in decision-making, and systematically preparing the next generation of leaders. The movement also advocates for a reformed Electoral Commission structured on the principle of three equal parts—administration, political forces and civil society—ensuring consensus-driven elections that uphold peace and stability.
True Houphouëtism: unity as the nation’s foundation
The MFA reaffirms that “true Houphouëtism does not divide; it unites.” Côte d’Ivoire’s diversity—spanning ethnic groups such as the Malinkés, Dioulas, Baoulés, Bétés, Agnis, Peulhs and many others—is its greatest strength. The nation’s regions, from the north to the south and east to west, are likened to the five fingers of a single hand, each essential to the whole. The MFA rejects divisive rhetoric, instead championing a vision of inclusivity and shared progress.
MFA’s loyalty to the RHDP: a partnership rooted in reform
As a founding member of the Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix (RHDP), the MFA’s loyalty is one of conviction, shaped by the legacies of Presidents Houphouët-Boigny, Henri Konan Bédié and Alassane Ouattara. This loyalty is neither silent nor passive; it is active, reform-driven and unafraid to offer fraternal counsel when necessary. The MFA has contributed significantly to the RHDP’s construction through militant engagement and political discipline, never abandoning the principles laid out in its founding charter. The movement’s ongoing efforts to secure full rehabilitation within the RHDP’s leadership structures are driven by a commitment to memory, coherence and internal justice—values essential for the long-term cohesion of any major political coalition.
A national pledge for the future
In closing, the MFA invokes a solemn pledge to the nation: to honour the sacrifices of fallen soldiers, the resilience of their families, and the courage of women who form the silent pillars of the Republic. The movement’s sole ambition is to repay Côte d’Ivoire for the gift of nationhood by building a Republic that stands tall, a fraternity that thrives, and a shared future for generations to come. As the nation celebrates its 66th Independence Day, the MFA extends its blessings to the Defence and Security Forces, to every Ivorian at home and abroad, and reaffirms its faith in a prosperous and united Côte d’Ivoire.
Long live the Republic!
Long live Côte d’Ivoire!
