Historic re-election at PPA-CI’s national congress

Ivorian political party PPA-CI (Parti des Peuples Africains – Côte d’Ivoire) has re-elected Laurent Gbagbo as its leader during an ordinary congress held in Abidjan. The landmark event took place at the Treichville Cultural Palace with nearly 3,000 delegates in attendance.

At 80 years old, the former Ivorian president was overwhelmingly chosen to lead the party he founded following his return from the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he was acquitted of charges related to the 2010-2011 post-election crisis.

From retirement to renewed commitment

In 2025, Gbagbo had publicly expressed his intention to step back from active party leadership while remaining engaged in Ivorian politics. However, persistent calls from party members and supporters led him to reconsider, ultimately accepting another term at the helm of PPA-CI.

This strategic decision signals the party’s ambition to consolidate its internal structures while preparing for generational leadership transition. Party officials view Gbagbo’s re-election as a bridge between experienced leadership and emerging political figures.

Vision for the future of PPA-CI

The recent congress highlighted several key objectives for the party’s future:

• Strengthening internal organization: Implementing robust governance frameworks to enhance operational efficiency.
• Revitalizing grassroots structures: Mobilizing party activists across all regions of Ivory Coast.
• Facilitating leadership transition: Creating pathways for younger members to assume greater responsibility within the party.

The re-election of Laurent Gbagbo represents more than a personal mandate—it embodies the party’s commitment to stability during a critical period in Ivorian political life.