Félix Houphouët-Boigny (1905–1993), affectionately known as “Le Vieux” (The Old Man) or “Papa Houphouët,” was the founding father and first President of Côte d’Ivoire. A physician, tribal chief, and planter, he led the country from independence in 1960 until his death in 1993. As of January 11, 2026, his ideology of “Houphouëtism”—centered on peace, dialogue, and economic liberalism—remains the bedrock of Ivorian political identity.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Félix Houphouët-Boigny |
| Born | October 18, 1905, Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire |
| Died | December 7, 1993 (Aged 88), Yamoussoukro |
| Rule | 1960–1993 (33 years) |
| Legacy | The “Ivorian Miracle”; The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. |
| Current Status | Revered as the “Father of the Nation”; political anchor for the RHDP. |
2026: The Living Legacy of Houphouëtism
In early 2026, Houphouët-Boigny’s shadow is longer than ever, particularly following the recent 2025 elections.
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A Moral Compass (Dec 2025): During the commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of his death on December 7, 2025, national leaders called for a “revival of Houphouët-Boigny’s legacy.” Amidst the political tensions of President Alassane Ouattara’s fourth term, speakers across the country emphasized that “solidarity is a moral responsibility inherited from Le Vieux,” urging national unity over partisan division.
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The “Tidjane Thiam” Factor: The Houphouët-Boigny name has gained fresh political currency through Tidjane Thiam, the former CEO of Credit Suisse and leader of the PDCI-RDA (the party Houphouët founded).3 As Houphouët-Boigny’s grand-nephew, Thiam’s entry into the 2025 political arena was framed as a “return to the source” of the nation’s founding values, though he was ultimately sidelined from the presidential race.
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The “African Moot” (July 2026): Looking ahead, the city of Yamoussoukro (Houphouët’s birthplace and the capital he built) is preparing to host the 2026 African Human Rights Moot Court Competition in July. The event is a nod to the late leader’s desire to make Yamoussoukro a global center for peace and intellectual exchange.
The “Ivorian Miracle” and Modern Infrastructure
Houphouët-Boigny is remembered for transforming a colonial backwater into a regional economic powerhouse:
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Agricultural Excellence: He famously rejected the state-led industrialization trends of 1960s Africa, focusing instead on cocoa and coffee. This strategy turned Côte d’Ivoire into the world’s top cocoa producer, a title it still holds in 2026.
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Pharaonic Works: He moved the capital to Yamoussoukro and built the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the world’s largest church. While criticized as “pharaonic” during the 1980s economic crisis, today these landmarks are seen as symbols of national pride and the “Ivorian Miracle.”
Diplomacy and “Françafrique”
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The Master of Dialogue: His mantra was “Peace is not a word, it is a behavior.” He was a key architect of “Françafrique,” maintaining deep, often controversial ties with France to ensure military stability and technical expertise.
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Regional Influence: In January 2026, as ECOWAS struggles with regional instability, historians often cite Houphouët-Boigny’s era as a “lost age” of regional mediation, where his personal prestige was often enough to settle disputes between neighboring states.