Six PDCI opposition leaders walk free in Côte d’Ivoire after nine months
Nine months after being taken into custody during Côte d’Ivoire’s tense 2025 presidential election period, six opposition figures from the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) have been released.
Reunited with families after prolonged detention
The six local PDCI officials—Allo Pacôme Didier, Kouleon Manhenin, N’Cho Gnangoran, Mabo Koffi Jean Marc, Ouattara Kinjinlman and Niangoran N’Guessan Edouard—were freed on Monday following a court hearing before the anti-terrorism chamber, their lawyer announced.
Me Ange Rodrigue Dadje took to social media to share the long-awaited news: “After nine months behind bars, my clients and PDCI activists are finally home with their families.”
Political climate during the 2025 election
Côte d’Ivoire’s 2025 presidential race unfolded amid heightened political friction, prompting a wave of arrests targeting opposition members. Among those swept up were dozens of activists, party officials and even senior party leaders.
Earlier in May, two more PDCI supporters—Clément Kouakou and Denis Brou—had also regained their freedom. The eight activists had been detained between late September and early October 2025, a period that coincided with the high-stakes presidential vote.
Broader crackdown on dissent
Opposition heavyweights such as PDCI leader Tidjane Thiam and former President Laurent Gbagbo were barred from running by court rulings. Meanwhile, scores of demonstrators arrested during unauthorized campaign rallies faced convictions, with fatalities reported during the unrest.
Government spokespeople maintained that arrests followed due process and were not politically motivated, emphasizing adherence to standard investigative procedures.
Recent releases amid ongoing tensions
In early July, Moïse Lida Kouassi, a former Defense minister under Laurent Gbagbo and party member, was freed after nearly a year in detention. Shortly afterward, Ibrahim Zigui, a cyberactivist aligned with the same political camp, was also released.