At an ordinary congress held in Abidjan, members of the Parti des Peuples Africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) reaffirmed their confidence in Laurent Gbagbo. At 80 years old, the former Ivorian president begins a new term leading the party he founded upon his return from the International Criminal Court.

During the first ordinary congress of the PPA-CI, held Thursday, May 14 at the Treichville Cultural Palace in Abidjan, Laurent Gbagbo was overwhelmingly re-elected as party president. Nearly 3,000 delegates attended the event, where the former head of state was confirmed at the helm of the political movement established in 2020 following his acquittal at the ICC. Gbagbo had faced charges of crimes against humanity related to the 2010-2011 post-election crisis before being cleared of all allegations.

Despite announcing in 2025 his intention to step back from official party duties while remaining politically active, Gbagbo reversed course in response to strong urging from his supporters. His continued leadership signals a commitment to guiding the PPA-CI through a generational transition while strengthening internal organization and revitalizing grassroots structures.

The congress reflects the party’s broader ambition to consolidate its political vision and prepare for future electoral challenges. With this renewed mandate, Laurent Gbagbo reasserts his role as a central figure in Côte d’Ivoire’s political landscape, even as the party looks ahead to new leadership.