Abidjan, July 17, 2025 — The Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), the ruling party, and the opposition coalition known as the Coalition for Peaceful Change in Côte d’Ivoire (CAP-CI) resumed political dialogue on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Abidjan.

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Movement of Capable Generations (MGC), brought together key political figures: Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, president of the MGC, led the opposition delegation, while Ibrahim Cissé Bacongo represented the RHDP as head of the ruling party’s delegation.

This resumption of dialogue follows persistent calls from the opposition, which claims to have been excluded from the upcoming Ivorian presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025.

According to sources close to the matter, the meeting served as a first point of contact to set the stage for broader discussions on electoral reforms. Eight main issues were reportedly raised during this initial encounter, including:

• Reforming the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI), with proposals to establish a new electoral body

• Reinstating excluded political figures such as Simone Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, Guillaume Soro, and Laurent Gbagbo

• Ensuring respect for the rule of law and previous political commitments

In a post-meeting statement, Ibrahim Cissé Bacongo emphasized the seriousness of the exchanges, affirming that “there was no double talk,” and announced the establishment of a permanent technical committee to facilitate follow-up between the RHDP and CAP-CI. Simone Ehivet Gbagbo described the meeting as “a first contact” aimed at laying the groundwork for inclusive dialogue on the electoral system.

This dialogue is viewed as an important signal of political openness amid growing tensions related to the 2025 presidential election. The opposition has long contested the current electoral framework, citing a lack of transparency and exclusion of key figures from the electoral roll.

Electoral Context

The upcoming October 25 election is the first under the Third Republic’s revised constitutional framework, which reset presidential term limits in 2016. Several prominent opposition leaders, including Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, Simone Gbagbo, Guillaume Soro, and Tidjane Thiam, have been declared ineligible or excluded from the electoral list, raising serious concerns over the inclusiveness of the vote.

The CAP-CI coalition has emerged in recent months as a unified front of opposition voices demanding electoral fairness, transparency, and political inclusion. Their participation in dialogue marks a strategic effort to influence the upcoming electoral process from within.

Political Reactions and Next Steps

The creation of a RHDP–CAP-CI technical committee represents a potential turning point for political consensus building. Analysts note that while the first meeting was largely exploratory, it opens the door to future negotiations, particularly around the composition of the electoral commission and the eligibility of opposition candidates.

The dialogue is expected to expand in the coming weeks to include additional political actors, such as the PDCI and the PPA-CI, in order to foster broader national cohesion ahead of the presidential vote.

The July 16 meeting marks a cautious but constructive step toward political de-escalation and inclusiveness in Côte d’Ivoire. The true test will lie in the implementation of concrete outcomes particularly in reforming electoral structures and ensuring fair participation for all. Both national and international observers will closely monitor developments as Côte d’Ivoire prepares for a critical election that could shape the country's democratic trajectory.