The political dialogue had stopped after the sudden death of Prime Minister Hamed Bakayoko in March last year.

On Thursday, about 21 major political parties joined in the dialogue.

Prime Minister Patrick Achi, who was leading the talks, said this was a sign of the strength of Ivorian democracy.

He insisted that different political party leaders should understand the benefits of peace and encouraged them to work for national cohesion and the stability of the country.

Pascal Affi N’guessan, the head of the opposition Ivorian Popular Front (FPI), said his party was welcoming the dialogue with hope.

The local elections scheduled for 2023, as well as a reform of the national electoral commission, are some of the major points to be discussed in the forum.

The civil society will also be taking a major role in the dialogue.