PPA-CI leadership enforces discipline ahead of key congress
The Parti des peuples africains-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), led by former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, has announced a disciplinary measure affecting several party members ahead of its first ordinary congress scheduled for May 14-15, 2026 in Abidjan.
Internal party discipline takes center stage
In a formal statement released to the public, the PPA-CI leadership clarified that individuals including Don Mello, Stéphane Kipré, Dali Arthur, and Armand Ouégnin have been barred from attending the upcoming congress. The decision follows their participation in the 2025 presidential and legislative elections despite the party’s official directive to abstain from both contests.
The party’s disciplinary procedures remain ongoing for these members, and their exclusion will remain in effect until final resolutions are reached. The communiqué explicitly stated: “Until the disciplinary procedures conclude, these members are not permitted to attend the first ordinary congress of the PPA-CI.”
A congress to unite and refocus the party
The upcoming event, set to take place at the Palais de la Culture in Abidjan, aims to strengthen internal cohesion and revitalize the party’s grassroots support. This congress marks a pivotal moment for the PPA-CI as it seeks to consolidate its structure and align its members behind a unified vision.
Internal tensions have been evident in recent months, with the leadership taking decisive action to enforce party discipline. The decision to exclude certain members underscores the party’s commitment to maintaining organizational integrity amid differing viewpoints on political participation.
