Ivory Coast’s Election Dynamics Shift as Former President Gbagbo Signals Participation in 2025
Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo has signaled his intent to run as the presidential candidate for his party, the African People’s Party – Cote d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), in the upcoming 2025 elections. The announcement was made by Katinan Kone, the party’s spokesperson, following a central committee meeting held on Saturday.
Gbagbo, who founded the PPA-CI in 2021, emerged as the chosen candidate, showcasing his continued influence within the political landscape of Ivory Coast. His return to the country in 2021 marked a significant moment, having been acquitted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2019 of charges linked to his role in a civil war that ensued after he refused to accept defeat in the 2010 election.
While imprisoned in the Netherlands, where he awaited trial, Gbagbo lost control of the Ivorian Popular Front (IPF), the party he had previously established. However, despite these setbacks, he is believed to maintain a substantial and devoted support base in Ivory Coast.
The political move comes ahead of the anticipated elections in Ivory Coast, scheduled for October 2025. The current President, Alassane Ouattara, aged 82, who secured re-election in 2020, has not yet disclosed his intentions regarding a potential candidacy for the upcoming elections.
Gbagbo’s return to active politics and his decision to lead the PPA-CI in the upcoming elections signal a potential resurgence of his political career. The dynamics of the 2025 elections in Ivory Coast are set to be shaped by the participation of key figures like Gbagbo, whose legacy and influence continue to play a pivotal role in the country’s political landscape. As the nation awaits further developments, Gbagbo’s candidacy adds an intriguing dimension to the unfolding narrative of Ivory Coast’s political future.
