Timbuktu Institute - Week 3 - February 2026

This week, the news in Côte d'Ivoire is marked by the political consolidation of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), significant judicial developments, the strengthening of the partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) around the PND 2026-2030, and increased regulation of the media by the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA).

Rassemblement des Houphouëtistes pour la Démocratie et la Paix in Massala: territorial consolidation and a logic of continuity

On 16 February 2026, a large delegation from the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), led by Bouaké Fofana and Adama Dosso, held a large rally in the No. 204 electoral district of Massala, ahead of the partial legislative elections. Party leaders called on voters to ‘make the right choice’ by voting for Mamadou Dosso, so that ‘Worodougou can continue its glorious march of development spearheaded by President Alassane Ouattara’. This mobilisation by the RHDP in Massala reflects a classic strategy of territorial consolidation by the ruling party in these partial legislative elections. By evoking the ‘glorious march of development’ driven by President Ouattara, the leaders are banking on the party's track record and continuity as levers of electoral legitimacy in this politically strategic constituency for Worodougou. The candidate says he is ‘very confident’, believing that ‘the ministers and officials of the region are supporting us, which is an additional assurance’. He has promised to continue with structural projects, particularly in terms of roads and access to water. The withdrawal of Metola Coulibaly, an independent candidate who stated, ‘I was independent, but I realised I had to come home,’ strengthens the RHDP's momentum in this constituency.

Prince Arthur Dalli: release under judicial supervision with measured political implications

On the legal front, the mayor of Lakota, Prince Arthur Dalli, who had been remanded in custody on 23 January, was released under judicial supervision by order of 16 February 2026. According to a statement from his political office, he ‘remains fully available for the remainder of the legal proceedings, in strict compliance with the obligations that have been notified to him.’ This release on bail marks a significant procedural development, without closing the case. It reaffirms the principle of the presumption of innocence and respect for judicial guarantees, while keeping the person concerned under legal constraint pending the outcome of the proceedings. The mayor reaffirmed his commitment to ‘peace, social cohesion and sustainable development in the department of Lakota’, calling for ‘dialogue, stability and national unity’. This decision illustrates how judicial mechanisms operate in a closely scrutinised political context.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Côte d'Ivoire: a strengthened strategic partnership for the 2026-2030 National Development Plan

At the strategic level, UNDP has reaffirmed its commitment to Côte d'Ivoire for the implementation of the 2026-2030 National Development Plan (NDP). During a meeting with the Minister of Planning, Dr Souleymane Diarrassouba, the Resident Representative assured him that UNDP interventions would ‘align with the priorities of the NDP 2026-2030’. This renewed commitment by UNDP confirms the essential role of international partnership in Côte d'Ivoire's economic trajectory. This alignment demonstrates a commitment to strategic coherence between national planning and technical support, particularly with regard to reducing inequalities, governance and territorial resilience. For his part, the Minister welcomed the 2021-2025 cooperation programme (US$35 million) and the adoption of the new Country Cooperation Framework (CPD) 2026-2030 (US$99 million), highlighting its consistency with national priorities, particularly the reduction of inequalities and the digitalisation of PND monitoring.

High Authority for Audiovisual Communication: suspension of Radio-école BLM and challenges of audiovisual regulation

On another note, on 18 February 2026, the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) announced the precautionary suspension of Radio-école BLM for non-compliance with its specifications. The regulatory body stated that it had acted following reports concerning an alleged authorisation to operate an Arabic-language radio service. This decision is part of the HACA's normal exercise of its regulatory powers and monitoring of compliance with its specifications. This suspension reflects the authorities' increased vigilance regarding content compliance and operating licences, in a context where control of the audiovisual space is a sensitive issue of governance and social cohesion. During their hearing, the managers acknowledged that they had broadcast music in Arabic two days a week, while denying any parallel online broadcasting.