(Ecofin Agency) - Guillaume Soro (photo), president of Côte d’Ivoire’s national assembly officially resigned during an extraordinary meeting hastily convened today February 8, 2019.

"Dear colleagues, the time has come !", Guillaume Soro said as an introduction to his speech.  "At this exact moment, I am submitting my resignation as the president of the national assembly of Côte d’Ivoire. Yes, I have decided to sacrifice my post for peace and for Côte d’Ivoire as I have done in the past," he concluded.

He explains that this is due to his refusal to join RHDP Unifié, the new party created by the country’s president, whose ordinary congress was held on January 26, 2019. Guillaume Soro’s noticeable absence spurred fierce criticism from the party’s promoters.

"A refusal to step down will inevitably lead to a destabilizing institutional crisis with its lots of harms to the nation," the former national assembly’s president explained adding that he is a “man who believes more in the judgment of history rather than in man’s judgment.”

He also stated that "it is more of a need for harmony between his beliefs, values and conscience rather than distrust."

RHDP unifié, the divisive element

For some time now, the relations between Alassane Ouattara and Guillaume Soro have worsened. The final straw was no doubt Guillaume Soro’s absence at the RHDP Unifié’s ordinary congress. This was seen by Alassane Ouattara’s supporters as another act of defiance. Answering a journalist’s question on January 28, 2019, during a meeting with the media, he announced with a bit of irritation that the president of the national assembly would resign in February 2019.

Focus on forgiveness and reconciliation

Even though there is a possibility for Guillaume Soro to run for the 2020 presidential election, he wants to be a major player for national reconciliation in Côte d’Ivoire.

“ I will remain with you to continue to work for the erection of a wealthy and prosperous Côte d’Ivoire that first and foremost relies on a law-abiding state and solid democratic foundations. I will remain with you to continue my fight for forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. For me, this fight is worth much more than my position as president of the national assembly,” he said.