Ivorian Opposition Rejects Ex-President Gbagbo’s Party Resignation

The Central Committee of the Party of African Peoples – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) has rejected Laurent Gbagbo’s announcement to withdraw from his leadership role, describing his presence as vital in navigating the country’s current political climate.

The former Ivorian president who had earlier declared his intension to step aside after the December 27, 2025 legislative elections, was met with resistance from within the party ranks.

The position was adopted during the party’s first ordinary session of the year, held on Saturday at Laurent Gbagbo’s office. The meeting brought together heads of party organs and commissions to assess national developments and chart the party’s direction amid growing political tensions.

At the heart of the deliberations was a strong message from the party’s grassroots: an outright refusal to allow Gbagbo to relinquish the presidency of the PPA-CI. Members reviewed findings from a nationwide consultation tour conducted in December 2025 and formally endorsed the view that the former president should remain at the helm given prevailing circumstances.

Party supporters argue that Gbagbo’s leadership continues to provide stability and strategic direction at a time of uncertainty.

Internal discipline also featured prominently during the session. Although the PPA-CI officially boycotted the legislative polls, some members defied the party’s stance by contesting the elections as independent candidates. The leadership responded by referring those involved to the party’s Disciplinary Council, reinforcing what it described as the importance of adherence to party statutes.

Addressing broader national concerns, Gbagbo expressed deep unease about the country’s socio-economic trajectory. Party officials painted a grim picture, citing declining cocoa revenues, higher value-added tax on essential goods, persistent unemployment, and forced evictions affecting vulnerable communities.

The PPA-CI further criticized what it termed a concentration of power that has worsened living conditions for ordinary Ivorians. Humanitarian issues also dominated discussions, particularly the fate of detained activists. According to the party’s Initiative for the Liberation of Prisoners of Conscience (ILPO), nearly 1,600 individuals linked to the opposition remain in detention.

In response, the party said it is strengthening support mechanisms for affected members through ongoing grassroots campaigns aimed at providing legal aid, medical assistance, and financial relief to political detainees.

The meeting also marked the initial steps toward the PPA-CI’s first ordinary congress, which is expected to focus on reorganizing the party into a stronger electoral force once conditions for transparent elections are secured.

By reaffirming its confidence in Laurent Gbagbo’s leadership and enforcing internal discipline, the PPA-CI signaled unity and resolve as it positions itself for future political engagement.