Laurent Gbagbo to Run in 2025 Cote d'Ivoire Presidential Election
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Loading... - Diana Ankrah
- 19 Sep 2024
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Former Cote d'Ivoire president Laurent Gbagbo has announced his intention to run in the 2025 presidential election, leading the African People's Party – Cote d'Ivoire (PPA-CI) that he founded in 2021. This decision was made following a meeting of the party's central committee, according to spokesman Katinan Kone.
Gbagbo, who served as president from 2000 to 2011, was acquitted of war crimes charges by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2019. He had been living abroad for a decade before returning to Cote d'Ivoire. Upon his return, he launched the PPA-CI, which has become a significant force in the country's politics.
Despite losing control of his previous party, the Ivorian Popular Front, while imprisoned, Gbagbo retains a large and loyal base of supporters in Cote d'Ivoire. This support is expected to play a crucial role in his bid for the presidency in 2025.
The election is scheduled to take place in October 2025. Current President Alassane Ouattara, who was re-elected in 2020, has not yet announced whether he will run again. Another potential contender is Tidjane Thiam, former CEO of Credit Suisse, who became president of the PDCI, one of Cote d'Ivoire's main opposition parties, in December. However, the PDCI has not yet formally designated its candidate.
