Tensions escalate within the Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) as the party prepares for its inaugural ordinary congress scheduled for May 14-15, 2026 in Abidjan. In an official statement released on May 13, 2026, the party’s leadership, under President Laurent Gbagbo, announced disciplinary measures against 61 cadres and activists deemed “undisciplined.”

The sanctions, outlined in a communiqué signed by Secretary-General Tchéidé Jean Gervais, stem from a decision by the Strategic and Political Council (CSP) numbered 02-2026/CSP/PPA-CI/KKJ/07052026, ratified by the party presidency the same day. The move is framed as an effort to uphold internal discipline and ensure smooth preparations for the upcoming congress.

The disciplinary actions are divided into three categories. The first group, the largest, includes 44 cadres facing 18-month suspensions. The second group comprises 10 members suspended for 12 months, while the third group consists of 7 individuals suspended for 6 months. During their suspension periods, these cadres are barred from participating in party activities and excluded from internal elections.

The announcement arrives at a politically charged moment, with the PPA-CI on the cusp of a pivotal organizational milestone. Analysts suggest the sweeping sanctions reflect the leadership’s determination to tighten control and consolidate support behind the party’s official stance. The timing and scale of the measures have sparked speculation about deeper internal fractures and leadership tensions within the party.

No official response from the sanctioned cadres has been made public thus far. However, the breadth of the suspensions is expected to spark intense internal debates and potentially reshape the party’s internal dynamics ahead of the congress, which is poised to shape the future trajectory of the PPA-CI.

As the party grapples with these challenges, the congress looms as a defining moment—one that could either reinforce unity or further expose the divisions simmering beneath the surface.