31.   Congresses have been opportunities to display a unified front after the months of intense political in-fighting that goes into selecting leaders and agreeing on policies.

32.   The RDR is the second opposition party to have named its presidential candidate after the social democratic Ivorian Popular Front, which has selected its leader Laurent Gbagbo.

33.   Until the party split two years ago, the LDP selected its leader in backroom deals between various factions.

34.   Party officials have been hardening their nationalist rhetoric ahead of a Congress in June that will select new leaders and endorse broad policy directions for the next five years.

35.   Security is expected to be tight ahead of the meeting of Party faithful, who will select new leaders and approve policy outlines for the next five years.