In a high-profile ruling by the Ivorian justice system, two prominent members of the PPA-CI (the political party of former President Laurent Gbagbo) have been sentenced to ten years in prison without bail. Damana Adia, commonly known as Pickass, and Koua Justin, both officials within the PPA-CI, were convicted on charges of public disorder and incitement to insurrection related to the pre-election violence that marred the lead-up to the 2020 Ivorian presidential election.
The case has sparked significant controversy, with the PPA-CI accusing the Ivorian government of using the justice system as a political tool to weaken opposition factions ahead of the 2025 presidential election. Tchéïdé Gervais, Secretary-General of the PPA-CI, voiced strong criticism of the sentencing, calling it a politically motivated maneuver designed to suppress key figures within the Gbagbo camp. Gervais argued that the ruling party, which currently holds power, is attempting to eliminate any potential rivals ahead of the 2025 elections to maintain its grip on power.
“The sentencing of Pickass and Justin is clearly aimed at silencing opposition voices and weakening the PPA-CI in the run-up to the 2025 elections,” Gervais said in a statement. “We believe this is a targeted attempt to weaken the chances of our party and its candidate, Laurent Gbagbo, in the upcoming race for the presidency.”
The timing of the trial and conviction has drawn additional scrutiny. Although the Ivorian public prosecutor insists that the trial of the two men, scheduled just months before the 2025 election, was not influenced by political considerations, the PPA-CI has strongly disputed this claim. Gervais emphasized that the opposition party views this as a deliberate effort to derail Gbagbo’s potential candidacy and destabilize the opposition bloc.
As part of their legal strategy, the lawyers representing the convicted individuals have already filed an appeal against the verdict. Gervais confirmed that the PPA-CI would continue to support Pickass, Koua Justin, and all party members affected by the political persecution, organizing public mobilization efforts to protest what they describe as an unjust imprisonment of key opposition figures.
In response to the government’s crackdown, Gervais reaffirmed the PPA-CI’s focus on preparing for Laurent Gbagbo’s presidential campaign in 2025, despite the increasing challenges posed by the government’s actions. He also acknowledged that the opposition parties are collaborating to address the potential candidacy of current President Alassane Ouattara in 2025, although discussions about a unified opposition candidate remain in the early stages.
It is important to note that Laurent Gbagbo himself is still dealing with the consequences of his own legal troubles. The former president, who returned to Côte d’Ivoire in 2021 after his acquittal by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity, remains a central figure in Ivorian politics as he seeks to make a political comeback.
With tensions rising ahead of the 2025 elections, this case highlights the ongoing political polarization in Côte d’Ivoire and the deep divisions between the ruling party and opposition forces. While the PPA-CI accuses the government of attempting to eliminate rivals through judicial means, the government maintains that the legal proceedings are based on the rule of law, not political considerations. As the country heads towards another contentious election, it remains to be seen how these legal battles will shape the political landscape in the months to come.
