Sudden Shifts in the Ivorian Political Arena
As Côte d’Ivoire approaches its presidential election in October 2025, surprising alignments are emerging within the opposition ranks. On June 19, the African People’s Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) led by former president Laurent Gbagbo, and the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) headed by Tidjane Thiam, proclaimed a strategic alliance. This ‘unified front’ has been formed to contest the exclusion of their leaders from electoral participation and to advocate for an inclusive political dialogue.
A Democratic Urgency Motivating the Alliance
The unexpected coalition underscores a sense of democratic urgency among the signatories. Both Gbagbo and Thiam have been deemed ineligible to run for office, a decision the parties vehemently criticize as arbitrary and politically driven. From his exile, Tidjane Thiam expressed concern over the legitimacy of the upcoming elections, pointing at potential credibility issues that could arise under the current government’s stance.
Reforms Demanded Amidst Fourth Term Controversy
The coalition’s primary demand is the reform of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which they perceive as biased. Additionally, they call for a genuine political dialogue that embraces all political perspectives. Gbagbo, renowned for his fiery rhetoric, attacked the idea of President Alassane Ouattara seeking a fourth term, warning of potential regression to a one-party state and urging support for the ‘Enough is Enough’ movement.
Government’s Rebuttal and the Road Ahead
The government, through the spokesperson Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, dismissed the accusations of political exclusion, asserting that the decisions were made by an independent judiciary. Accusations against the opposition for alleged interpretative distortions were also made. With a tense campaign on the horizon, the newfound unity of PPA-CI and PDCI reconfigures the electoral landscape, harnessing their organizational strength to challenge the status quo and influence the election’s dynamics.