An African Union (AU) delegation on a peace mission in Côte d’Ivoire met with former President Laurent Gbagbo in Abidjan on Wednesday, as part of efforts to defuse mounting political tensions ahead of the country’s October 2025 presidential election. The delegation, led by Mahamat Saleh Annadif, AU Special Representative for the Sahel and West Africa, is conducting high-level engagements with political actors, civil society, and state institutions to promote a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive electoral process.
Gbagbo, who confirmed his intention to contest the upcoming election under his African People’s Party–Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI), was recently excluded from the provisional voter register by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). His legal team has filed an appeal, arguing that the exclusion is politically motivated and violates constitutional rights. The move has triggered street protests by his supporters and drawn criticism from opposition groups, who warn that it could undermine the credibility of the election. Gbagbo, acquitted by the International Criminal Court in 2019, returned to Côte d’Ivoire in 2021 and remains a powerful political figure.
Earlier in the day, the AU delegation met with officials from the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the CEI, signaling the bloc’s intent to gather diverse perspectives amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding. Speaking to reporters, Annadif stressed the AU’s commitment to preventing electoral violence, drawing lessons from past post-election crises, particularly the deadly conflict following the disputed 2010 runoff between Gbagbo and current President Alassane Ouattara.
“We are here to encourage dialogue, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law so that Ivorians can choose their leaders in peace,” Annadif said. The AU mission is expected to meet ruling party representatives and civil society leaders before issuing a preliminary report on its mediation efforts.
