Gbagbo Purges Party Leadership as Ivory Coast Faces Political Crisis Over Boycotted Elections
In a dramatic move highlighting deepening political divisions, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has expelled 22 senior officials from his party, the PPA-CI, for defying a boycott of upcoming legislative elections.
Party Discipline Versus Political Pragmatism
The mass dismissal, announced in a November 19, 2025 press release, represents Gbagbo’s firm response to what the party describes as “knowingly chosen disobedience and insubordination.” Despite the PPA-CI’s official position against participating in the December 27, 2025 legislative elections, the expelled members registered as independent candidates, creating a significant rift within the opposition movement.
Among the prominent figures removed from their positions are Stéphane Kipré, Ouegnin Georges Armand, and Séri Louma, along with 19 other senior party members spanning various regions and factions within the organization.
The Boycott Principle: Gbagbo’s Stance
The political crisis stems from Gbagbo’s principled opposition to what he characterizes as hastily organized elections following the contentious October 2025 presidential vote. In statements quoted by the party, Gbagbo articulated his position with striking imagery: “I believe that preparing on the 12th to go in December is to cover up the wrongdoing that occurred. It’s to shroud the wounded and the dead in a contemptuous burial cloth.”
This reference to “the wounded and the dead” suggests the former president believes the electoral process cannot proceed normally without addressing alleged violence or irregularities from the presidential election—a position that puts his party at odds with both the government and pragmatic elements within his own political organization.
Broader Implications for Ivorian Democracy
The purge reveals significant tensions within Ivory Coast’s opposition as the country navigates its post-conflict political landscape. Gbagbo’s return from exile in 2021 was seen by many as an opportunity for national reconciliation, but these recent developments suggest ongoing fragmentation within the opposition bloc.
Analysts observing Ivorian politics note that the mass expulsion reflects a classic tension in opposition politics: whether to participate in elections perceived as flawed to maintain political relevance, or to boycott them as a matter of principle, potentially ceding political ground to rivals.
The PPA-CI’s statement emphasized that “discipline cannot be selective” and described it as “the backbone of any serious political organization.” This framing positions Gbagbo as maintaining party integrity while potentially narrowing his political base through the exclusion of dissenting voices.
What Comes Next for Ivory Coast’s Opposition
The expelled members now face an uncertain political future. While they may continue their electoral bids as independents, their separation from the party apparatus could significantly impact their campaign resources and voter mobilization capabilities.
For Gbagbo and the PPA-CI, the purge represents both an assertion of control and a potential weakening of the party’s broader electoral appeal. The move consolidates power around Gbagbo’s boycott position but may reduce the party’s representation in the next National Assembly if the expelled candidates fail to win their races.
As Ivory Coast approaches the December elections, this internal party conflict reflects broader questions about the health of the country’s democratic institutions and the challenges of maintaining opposition unity in polarized political environments.
Source: This report is based on original reporting from APA News.