Ivory Coast’s ruling Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace party has secured a commanding majority in the country’s parliamentary elections, according to provisional results released by the Independent Electoral Commission, strengthening President Alassane Ouattara’s grip on the National Assembly.
The commission said the RHDP won 197 of the 255 seats in the legislature, comfortably exceeding the threshold required to pass legislation without reliance on opposition support. Out of approximately 8.5 million registered voters, turnout stood at 35.04 per cent, highlighting continued concerns about voter apathy despite the high political stakes of the poll.
The main opposition Democratic Party of Cote d’Ivoire–African Democratic Rally emerged with 32 seats, while independent candidates secured 23 seats. Smaller parties, including The Ox – Victory for Development party, won one seat each. Observers noted that the fragmented performance of opposition groups further consolidated the ruling party’s dominance in parliament.
The election outcome is expected to give the government greater legislative latitude to advance its economic and social agenda, including reforms linked to infrastructure development, public finance and social services. However, the relatively low turnout may renew debate about political inclusion and public trust in the electoral process.
Separately, Ivory Coast has signed a major bilateral health agreement with the United States aimed at strengthening the country’s health system and improving its capacity to prevent and respond to disease. The agreement, valued at $487 million, focuses on enhancing disease surveillance and detection systems, as well as expanding access to health services.
According to officials, the deal prioritises efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, three diseases that continue to place a heavy burden on the country’s public health system and workforce productivity. The funding is expected to support laboratory capacity, health worker training and community level interventions, while improving preparedness for future health emergencies.
The agreement underscores the strategic importance of health security in Ivory Coast’s development agenda. By strengthening disease prevention and response, the government aims to reduce long-term healthcare costs, protect economic output and improve human capital outcomes. Together with the ruling party’s strong parliamentary position, the health deal places the administration in a relatively strong position to pursue policy continuity in the coming legislative cycle.
