The PPA-CI, led by former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, has officially barred several party leaders and activists from attending its first ordinary congress, scheduled for May 14-15, 2026 in Abidjan. This decision was outlined in a communiqué issued on May 13, 2026, citing ongoing disciplinary proceedings against those involved.
Among the excluded figures are prominent members such as Don Mello, Stéphane Kipré, Dali Arthur, and Armand Ouégnin. The party justified the move by pointing to their refusal to comply with the PPA-CI leadership’s directive to abstain from the Ivorian presidential election in October 2025 and the legislative elections on December 27, 2025.
The communiqué stated: “Pending the resolution of disciplinary procedures, the following comrades are prohibited from participating in the PPA-CI’s first ordinary congress on May 14-15, 2026.” The list of affected individuals was attached to the statement.
The upcoming congress, to be held at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan, aims to reaffirm the party’s unity and reinvigorate its grassroots support. However, the exclusion of key figures underscores deepening internal divisions within the PPA-CI, exacerbated by the defiance of top officials who disregarded Gbagbo’s strategic decision to boycott the recent electoral processes.
The party’s leadership has framed the disciplinary actions as necessary to maintain cohesion, though critics argue the move risks further fragmenting the party ahead of the congress.