Abidjan, July 13, 2026 – Dr. Ahoua Don-Mello, who contested the October 2025 presidential election, along with his core political associates, has announced a significant step forward in their political journey: the formal launch of a process to establish a new political party. This decision emerged from a comprehensive plenary assembly held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Abidjan.
During the gathering, attended by numerous supporters and members of Mr. Don-Mello’s presidential campaign organizing committee, participants overwhelmingly endorsed a resolution to create a new political entity.
This pivotal move follows the recommendations of a dedicated reflection commission, which had been tasked with exploring strategic organizational pathways for the movement. The commission’s report, presented to the assembly, strongly advocated for the formation of a political party to provide a structured and enduring framework for the initiatives championed by the former presidential candidate.
Consequently, the assembly entrusted Dr. Ahoua Don-Mello with the mandate to spearhead the creation of this new political formation and to organize the forthcoming “Pioneers’ Congress,” which is anticipated to serve as the foundational event for the nascent party.
This initiative signifies the evolution of the former candidate’s campaign team into a robust political organization. The party aims to position itself as a dynamic force for proposing new ideas, fostering unity, and offering a viable alternative in the Ivorian political landscape. Its foundational principles will encompass democracy, social justice, sound governance, solidarity, meritocracy, and the unwavering defense of national sovereignty.
Following the proceedings, Dr. Ahoua Don-Mello expressed his gratitude to the attendees for their trust and outlined the broad strategic directions of the proposed political project. He also extended an earnest invitation to all patriotic, progressive, democratic, and sovereignist forces to join this endeavor, with the shared goal of building a Côte d’Ivoire that is “more just, more prosperous, more united, and fully sovereign.”
“Preparatory work for the Pioneers’ Congress will commence immediately, and its official date will be communicated at the earliest opportunity,” a statement from the group confirmed.
Dr. Ahoua Don-Mello, previously a vice-president of the Parti des Peuples Africains-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) before his expulsion, ran as an independent candidate in the October 2025 presidential election.