Camille Alliali

Alliali was born on 23 November 1926 in Toumodi, a town located 40 km from Yamoussoukro. His parents were Baoulé peasants. Alliali began his education in his home village, later going to a higher primary school in Bingerville. Following his primary studies, Alliali went to the École normale William-Ponty in Sébikotane, Sénégal, before enrolling in the law school at the Université de Grenoble.^[1] Following graduation from Grenoble, Alliali passed the bar and worked as a lawyer in Paris.

Upon his return to Côte d'Ivoire, the PDCI was in the middle of its fight against French colonial authorities. Originally, Alliali wanted to work with colonial authorities in order to continue his career as a lawyer and represent his compatriots. However, because defense lawyers were named by decree by the Governor-General of the colonial administration, Alliali had to wait over a year and rely on a favor by his future brother-in-law, Jean Delafosse, to be nominated to the role. Once he was named a defense lawyer, Alliali became an ardent defender of PDCI members.^[1]

In 1957, Alliali was elected to the National Assembly. In 1959, the parliament elected Alliali Vice-President of the Assembly for the First Legislature. As chairman of the Constitutional Commission, Alliali participated in the drafting of the country's 1959 Constitution.^[2]

At the same time, Alliali was elected to the Senate of the French Community from 1958 to 1961.^[3]

On 22 March 1961, Alliali was named the first Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire to France.^[4]