Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has declared his plan to lead the African People’s Party – Cote d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) in the upcoming 2025 presidential elections. The announcement, disclosed by party spokesman Katinan Kone following a central committee gathering on Saturday, signals Gbagbo’s possible comeback to the political arena over ten years after his turbulent departure from power.
Gbagbo, who was the president of the West African nation from 2000 to 2011, founded the PPA-CI in 2021 after being cleared of war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Returning to Ivory Coast after ten years abroad, he found himself in the midst of a complicated political environment.
In 2019, the Netherlands-based ICC acquitted the former president of charges connected to his involvement in a civil war that began due to his refusal to accept election results. The conflict, which began in 2010, led to the deaths or disappearance of over 3,000 individuals and had long-lasting effects on the country.
Throughout his time in prison and legal proceedings, the former Ivorial president ceded authority over the party he had established, the Ivorian Popular Front (IPF), to a former associate. Despite facing political challenges, he successfully maintained a significant and dedicated following in his country.
The 2025 presidential election in Ivory Coast is scheduled for October, and Gbagbo’s choice to lead the PPA-CI paves the way for a possible political resurgence. The re-election of President Alassane Ouattara in 2020 raises questions about his potential candidature for another term, as he has not provided a clear statement on the matter.
One notable figure in the political landscape is Tidjane Thiam, the ex-CEO of Swiss bank Credit Suisse. In December, Thiam took on the role of leading the PDCI, one of Ivory Coast’s main opposition parties. Speculation is rife that Thiam will be the candidate for the upcoming 2025 election, which will bring more intricacies to the political scene, although the party has not made an official announcement yet.
Gbagbo’s resurgence in the political arena prompts inquiries into the power dynamics in Ivory Coast, with prominent figures such as Ouattara, Gbagbo, and the late Henri Konan Bedie having wielded influence over the nation’s politics for years. Gbagbo’s possible candidature depends on the restoration of his civic rights, a vital requirement for involvement in the electoral process.
With Ivory Coast on the brink of a crucial election, the potential comeback of Gbagbo introduces an element of mystery to the evolving political story, leaving the country eager for updates as the 2025 elections approach.
