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Ivory Coast Opposition Party Claims Six Members Abducted Ahead of Presidential Election

Political Tensions Escalate as Opposition Cries Foul

The African Peoples’ Party-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), led by former president Laurent Gbagbo, made shocking allegations on Sunday, August 3, claiming six of its members had been “abducted and taken to unknown locations.” The party denounced what it called “a wave of repression” less than three months before the October 25 presidential election.

Ivory Coast’s political climate has grown increasingly tense as the election approaches. Several opposition figures—including Gbagbo himself—have been barred from running through court rulings, while numerous opposition activists have been arrested in recent weeks.

“Wave of Repression” Alleged

“A wave of repression is falling upon our officials and activists,” declared Sébastien Dano Djédjé, the PPA-CI’s executive president, during a Sunday press conference. He identified six party members—including Pascale Zaholy, the substitute deputy for Yopougon district in Abidjan—who he said were “abducted” between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Denouncing what he called “arbitrary arrests” and “political intimidation” by the current administration, Djédjé demanded the “immediate release” of the six activists. He warned of “a disturbing rise in violations of constitutional freedoms.”

Michel Gbagbo, Yopougon’s deputy and son of Laurent Gbagbo, separately confirmed to AFP that his substitute, Pascale Zaholy, had been “abducted at dawn by hooded individuals.”

Violence Erupts in Yopougon

The allegations follow a violent incident in Yopougon late Friday into Saturday, where a public transport bus was set ablaze and a police vehicle was vandalized. According to prosecutor Oumar Braman Koné, the police officers inside were “assaulted by a mob armed with machetes, clubs, firearms, and Molotov cocktails.”

Koné stated that two individuals were arrested at the scene, while a “sweep operation led to the arrest of several others who are currently being questioned.” He did not identify those detained.

Government Response

Interior Minister Diomandé Vagondo appeared on Ivorian television Sunday evening, announcing eleven arrests following what he described as “moments of serious violence.” He insisted that “in our country, no arrest is made arbitrarily.”

The PPA-CI condemned the violence while denying any involvement by its members.

Opposition Under Pressure

This incident marks the latest in a series of confrontations between authorities and opposition groups. In June, youth leaders from the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI)—the main opposition party—were arrested for allegedly disturbing public order, according to their lawyer.

Late last month, Gala Kolebi, a sociologist and PPA-CI communications officer, received an 18-month prison sentence for “spreading false news.”

Election Controversy Deepens

The political landscape remains fraught as multiple opposition leaders face exclusion from the ballot. Alongside Gbagbo, PDCI president Tidjane Thiam and exiled former prime minister Guillaume Soro have been struck from the electoral list through court decisions.

Adding to the controversy, President Alassane Ouattara—in power since 2011—announced his intention last Tuesday to seek a fourth term, despite constitutional limits that had previously barred him from running again.

As Ivory Coast prepares for its October election, international observers grow increasingly concerned about the deteriorating political climate and its potential impact on democratic processes in one of West Africa’s most important nations.

Reporting contributed by AFP

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