PPA-CI excludes dissident leaders from landmark congress

The Parti des peuples africains-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), led by former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, has barred several prominent party members and activists from attending its first ordinary congress, scheduled for May 14–15, 2026 in Abidjan.

Disciplinary measures target non-compliant members

The decision follows internal unrest after these individuals defied the party’s directive to abstain from the October 2025 presidential election and the December 2025 legislative vote. Their exclusion is part of ongoing disciplinary proceedings, pending the final outcomes of investigations into their conduct.

The communiqué explicitly states that those named—including Don Mello, Stéphane Kipré, Dali Arthur, and Armand Ouégnin—are prohibited from participating in the upcoming congress until further notice.

A congress aimed at party renewal

The Abidjan gathering at the Palais de la Culture marks a pivotal moment for the PPA-CI, seeking to reorganize and revitalize its base amid deepening factional divides. The event is expected to set the party’s strategic direction for the coming years, though internal cohesion remains fragile.

The exclusion of these figures underscores the leadership’s determination to enforce party discipline, even as critics argue the move could further fragment the movement. The congress will proceed as planned, with leadership hopeful of bridging internal rifts before the 2026 elections.