Six key local leaders from Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party, the Parti démocratique de Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), walked free on Monday after spending nine months in detention, their lawyer confirmed.

In a Facebook statement, defense attorney Me Ange Rodrigue Dadje declared: “Following Monday’s hearing before the anti-terrorism chamber, my clients—PDCI activists Allo Pacôme Didier, Kouleon Manhenin, N’Cho Gnangoran, Mabo Koffi Jean Marc, Ouattara Kinjinlman, and Niangoran N’Guessan Edouard—are finally reunited with their families after nine months behind bars.”

Political arrests during a high-stakes election

In 2025, Côte d’Ivoire’s presidential election unfolded under intense political pressure, prompting a wave of detentions targeting opposition members. The six PDCI officials, local party leaders from various districts in Abidjan, were taken into custody between late September and early October 2025.

Two additional PDCI activists, Clément Kouakou and Denis Brou, secured release in May after earlier arrests. Meanwhile, prominent opposition figures like PDCI leader Tidjane Thiam and former President Laurent Gbagbo were barred from participating due to court rulings.

Over the past year, dozens of opposition supporters—including senior party members—were arrested or jailed. Authorities insisted the detentions followed legal procedures and were unrelated to political affiliation. Hundreds more faced convictions for involvement in unauthorized protests during the campaign, with at least ten fatalities reported.

Recent releases amid shifting political climate

In early July, Moïse Lida Kouassi, a former Defense Minister under Laurent Gbagbo and PDCI member, gained freedom after nearly a year behind bars. Another ally, cyberactivist Ibrahim Zigui, was also released following the same period of confinement.