Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire

The Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) was founded in 1946 as the Ivorian branch of the African Democratic Rally (RDA). Initially, it sought equality for Africans and, despite repression, achieved many of its goals. Félix Houphouët-Boigny, a key figure in the PDCI, became the first president of independent Côte d'Ivoire in 1960 and ruled until his death in 1993. For 30 years, the PDCI was the sole authorized political party in the country. In 1990, Houphouët-Boigny allowed opposition parties and contested elections. The PDCI has since been a significant force in Ivorian politics, often in alliances with other parties.1234