PPA-CI bars Don Mello, Stéphane Kipré and others from upcoming congress

The Parti des peuples africains-Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), led by former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, has announced the exclusion of several high-profile members and activists from its first ordinary congress scheduled for May 14-15, 2026 in Abidjan.

The decision, outlined in an official statement, affects individuals currently under disciplinary review. These members had openly defied the party’s directive to abstain from participating in the October 2025 presidential election and the December 2025 parliamentary vote, breaching internal party rules.

Disciplinary measures ahead of key party gathering

The PPA-CI’s statement emphasized that the affected individuals—including Don Mello, Stéphane Kipré, Dali Arthur, Armand Ouégnin and others—will not be permitted to attend the congress while their cases remain unresolved. The two-day event at the Palais de la Culture d’Abidjan aims to strengthen party unity and mobilize supporters ahead of future political challenges.

Internal tensions have escalated in recent months, with the party leadership taking a firm stance against deviations from its electoral strategy. Laurent Gbagbo had called for a boycott of the 2025 elections, advocating for a unified opposition stance in Côte d’Ivoire. The refusal of some members to comply triggered the disciplinary actions now being enforced.

What’s next for the PPA-CI?

The upcoming congress represents a critical moment for the party to reaffirm its direction and rebuild cohesion among members. With key figures sidelined, the focus will likely shift to loyalist factions within the PPA-CI, as the organization seeks to consolidate its position in Ivorian politics. Observers will closely monitor how the party navigates these internal divisions ahead of the 2026 gathering.