The Parti des Peuples Africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) concluded its first ordinary congress on 14 May 2026 at the Palais de la Culture de Treichville in Abidjan. The event culminated in the unanimous reappointment of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo as party leader, alongside a sweeping internal disciplinary campaign targeting multiple officials and activists.
Gbagbo, now 81, secured his position through acclamation before an audience of nearly 3,000 delegates. The decision followed a formal recommendation from the party’s Central Committee, which sought to entrust the historic leader with guiding the PPA-CI’s political trajectory—especially as the party was founded in October 2021.
The reappointment underscores the PPA-CI’s resolve to reinforce its stance within Côte d’Ivoire’s opposition bloc ahead of upcoming electoral milestones. However, the congress also served as a platform for a major internal restructuring initiative.
Disciplinary measures and party discipline
Several party officials faced sanctions for failing to adhere to directives issued during the 2025 legislative and presidential elections. In a decisive move, three senior figures—Awa Domelo, Fernand Ailé, and Kanga Kwaku Antoine—were expelled from the party. An additional 25 activists received suspensions ranging from 12 to 18 months, including Stéphane Kipré and Ouien George Armand, who were handed the maximum penalty.
The sanctions stem from accusations of support for independent candidacies, despite explicit party instructions to boycott the polls. The case of Awa Domelo drew particular scrutiny, as her candidacy was initially floated as a precautionary measure amid legal uncertainties surrounding Gbagbo’s eligibility at the time.
The leadership framed these measures as essential to strengthening internal cohesion and clarifying the party’s political direction in anticipation of future electoral battles. The congress unfolded against a backdrop of shifting political dynamics in Côte d’Ivoire, where the ruling RHDP continues to project organizational dominance.
By reaffirming Gbagbo’s leadership, the PPA-CI signals its intent to position him as the central figure steering the party’s path forward. The move reflects a broader strategy to consolidate influence within the opposition ahead of key political showdowns.