Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has criticised the continued imprisonment of political activists in Côte d’Ivoire, warning that suppressing dissent threatens the country’s democratic progress.
Speaking during the fourth edition of the Renaissance Festival in Songon M’Brathé, a political and cultural gathering organised by his party, the African People’s Party-Côte d’Ivoire, known as PPA-CI, Gbagbo urged authorities to release detained opposition supporters and protect freedom of expression.
The 80-year-old politician, who was recently re-elected as president of the PPA-CI, told supporters that democracy cannot thrive if citizens are jailed for expressing political opinions.
According to Gbagbo, many members of the opposition remain behind bars following demonstrations held ahead of the October 2025 presidential election. Several protesters were arrested and later sentenced after participating in rallies opposing the exclusion of some opposition candidates, including Gbagbo himself, from the electoral process.
He argued that the arrests reflect growing political intolerance and called for greater respect for civil liberties and political inclusion in the country.
The comments highlight continuing political tensions in Côte d’Ivoire following last year’s disputed elections, which were boycotted by the PPA-CI. The boycott left the party with no representation in parliament and only a limited presence in local government, while President Alassane Ouattara secured another term in office.
The rivalry between Gbagbo and Ouattara remains one of the defining features of Ivorian politics. Gbagbo became president in 2000, but his refusal to concede defeat after the 2010 presidential election triggered a violent political crisis and civil conflict that claimed more than 3,000 lives and displaced thousands of people.
He was eventually removed from power in 2011 and transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, where he faced charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to the post-election violence. However, he was acquitted in 2019 and returned to Côte d’Ivoire in 2021 after nearly a decade abroad.
Despite earlier announcing plans to retire from active politics, Gbagbo continues to wield significant influence within the opposition and among supporters who see him as a symbol of resistance against what they describe as political marginalisation.
Political observers say his renewed activism could shape opposition strategies ahead of future elections, especially as debates continue over electoral reforms, political reconciliation and democratic freedoms in Côte d’Ivoire.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly urged Ivorian authorities to ensure political openness, fair judicial processes and the protection of opposition voices as the country seeks to maintain stability after years of political unrest.
