Ivory Coast: Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam’s parties form a united opposition front
3 min read
Gbagbo and Thiam’s parties unite to demand inclusion in Ivory Coast’s 2025 presidential election.
Ivory Coast: Gbagbo and Thiam Join Forces in New Opposition Alliance
Opposition Leaders Unite After Electoral Exclusion
Two major Ivorian opposition parties have formed a united front after their leaders, former President Laurent Gbagbo and former Credit Suisse executive Tidjane Thiam, were excluded from the upcoming presidential election. The alliance seeks to challenge the decisions that barred them from contesting the 2025 presidential polls and to reshape the country’s political landscape.
Alliance Between PPA-CI and PDCI Takes Shape
The newly formed alliance brings together Gbagbo’s African People’s Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) and Thiam’s Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), both of which were disqualified from the electoral race by judicial decisions. Their primary goal is to demand the reinstatement of their leaders’ candidacies while also calling for the removal of certain other opposition candidates from the official electoral list.
Political Climate Marked by Rising Tensions
The creation of this opposition front occurs amid a climate of increasing political tension. The exclusion of high-profile figures from the election has intensified public debate and stoked fears of political instability. Both parties argue that the judicial process behind the exclusions was politically motivated and aimed at weakening serious contenders against the ruling party.
Gbagbo Launches ‘Enough is Enough’ Movement
Laurent Gbagbo, who returned to the political scene after his acquittal by the International Criminal Court, has become increasingly vocal in recent months. He recently launched a movement called “Enough is Enough” in protest against what he describes as efforts to suppress democratic competition. Gbagbo is particularly opposed to the possibility of a fourth term for current President Alassane Ouattara in the upcoming October 2025 presidential election.
The RHDP Responds to the Opposition
The ruling party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), has dismissed the opposition alliance’s efforts. RHDP officials argue that the exclusions are the result of judicial procedures and not political decisions. The party accuses the opposition of using delay tactics to disrupt the electoral timeline and of undermining the authority of legal institutions.
Questions Over Judiciary’s Independence
Despite the RHDP’s position, critics have raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary, suggesting that the courts are being used to serve political ends. International observers and civil society organizations have called for transparency and fairness in the electoral process, warning that continued disqualifications could erode public trust and trigger unrest ahead of the 2025 vote.
A Historical Alliance with Contemporary Stakes
The alliance between Gbagbo’s and Thiam’s parties is seen by many as a strategic move to consolidate opposition influence. Both leaders bring different constituencies and strengths: Gbagbo, a longtime political heavyweight with a loyal grassroots following; Thiam, an internationally respected technocrat with appeal among the urban middle class and diaspora.
Their collaboration signals a shift in the opposition’s approach — from fragmented resistance to coordinated pressure against the ruling party and the electoral system it controls. Analysts suggest that the alliance could alter the balance of power if it gains popular support and legal momentum.
Looking Ahead to a Contentious Election Season
As Ivory Coast prepares for the 2025 presidential election, the formation of this united opposition front has added new dynamics to an already charged political environment. With electoral timelines approaching and legal battles intensifying, the stage is set for what could be one of the most contested and unpredictable elections in the country’s recent history.
About The Author
