Laurent Gbagbo retains PPA-CI leadership in Côte d’Ivoire

The political future of Côte d’Ivoire’s former president, Laurent Gbagbo, appears more vibrant than ever. Despite being barred from contesting the last presidential election due to a technicality involving legal terminology, the 80-year-old leader has reaffirmed his commitment to active politics. His decision comes at a time when his long-time rival, Alassane Ouattara, shows no signs of stepping down from the presidency, prompting Gbagbo to rally his supporters once again.

The recent congress of the Parti des Peuples Africains-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) in Abidjan’s Treichville Cultural Palace marked a turning point. Gbagbo was unanimously re-elected as the party’s president, a move framed as both a continuity gesture and a call for renewal. The PPA-CI, however, remains absent from recent electoral contests, including the 2025 legislative elections, signaling a period of strategic reevaluation for the party.

Consolidating party unity amid internal dissent

The congress hall erupted in celebration as delegates cheered Gbagbo’s leadership, but behind the scenes, the party had just undergone a rigorous internal purge. The central committee expelled three prominent dissidents and suspended 62 others, including municipal officials like Prince Arthur Dalli, former legislator Stéphane Kipré, and academic Georges Armand Ouégnin. These measures followed allegations of disobedience, particularly their refusal to endorse the party’s boycott strategy during recent polls.

Renewal demands spark internal strife

The suspended members had been vocal advocates for restructuring the party’s leadership and redistributing roles. Their exclusion from the congress underscored a growing divide between the party’s traditional base and those pushing for modernization. Gbagbo, now in his third decade as PPA-CI’s figurehead, continues to symbolize the movement, though his influence over day-to-day operations appears limited—a point he addressed in a public address to delegates.

The following day, a festive gathering in Songon, his hometown, celebrated what organizers dubbed the “Renaissance Festival,” reinforcing his enduring connection to the grassroots. Yet, as history has shown, Gbagbo’s return often defies expectations, leaving many to wonder how long this political stalwart will remain at the helm.