After years of political exile and legal battles, former President Laurent Gbagbo has once again taken center stage in Ivorian politics. Despite initial indications of stepping back from active leadership, the veteran politician remains a dominant figure in the PPA-CI, his political party, following a decisive congress held in Abidjan.
An unexpected political comeback
Once barred from running in the last presidential election due to legal technicalities, Gbagbo had suggested a temporary retreat from frontline politics. Yet, the decision by Alassane Ouattara to extend his presidential mandate appears to have reignited his ambitions. The recent struggles of the PPA-CI, including its poor performance in both the 2025 legislative elections and the presidential race, may have further motivated his return to the helm.
During the party’s first ordinary congress on May 14–15 at the Treichville Cultural Palace, Gbagbo was unanimously re-elected as leader, despite his absence from the event. The move, framed as both a continuity measure and a revitalization effort, underscores his enduring influence over the party he founded.
Party unity amid internal divisions
The congress, attended by 3,000 delegates, projected an image of unity, but behind the scenes, tensions were palpable. The party had previously boycotted both the presidential and legislative elections, a strategy that split its ranks. Former Vice President Ahoua Don Mello, who ran independently in October’s presidential race, symbolized this dissent. His exclusion from the congress highlights the party’s efforts to purge internal dissent.
In a sweeping disciplinary action, the party’s central committee expelled three high-profile members and suspended 62 others, including Prince Arthur Dalli, Mayor of Lakota, independent Deputy Stéphane Kipré, and Professor Georges Armand Ouégnin. These individuals had openly challenged the leadership’s boycott strategy and were denied participation in the congress.
A reluctant leader returns
While Gbagbo has pledged not to micromanage the party’s daily operations, his symbolic leadership remains crucial. His public address on May 15 and the subsequent celebration in his hometown of Songon suggest that, despite appearances, his political instincts remain sharp. As one longtime observer noted, “You can take the politician out of the game, but you can’t take the game out of the politician.”
