Six local leaders from Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), walked free on Monday after spending nine months in detention. Their release was confirmed by their legal representative, who shared the news on social media.

political tensions during a pivotal election year

The detainees—Allo Pacôme Didier, Kouleon Manhenin, N’Cho Gnangoran, Mabo Koffi Jean Marc, Ouattara Kinjinlman, and Niangoran N’Guessan Edouard—were held since late 2025, a period marked by heightened political sensitivities ahead of the presidential election.

In a social media statement, their lawyer, Me Ange Rodrigue Dadje, announced their release after the conclusion of proceedings before the Antiterrorism Chamber. He noted that his clients and party activists were returning home after months behind bars.

The arrests occurred amid a broader wave of detentions targeting opposition figures. Earlier in May, two additional PDCI members, Clément Kouakou and Denis Brou, were also freed. Authorities had previously detained dozens of opposition activists, including local party officials, between late September and early October 2025.

High-profile opposition leaders such as Tidjane Thiam (PDCI president) and Laurent Gbagbo (former Head of State) were barred from running due to legal decisions. Hundreds of opposition supporters, including some senior party members, faced arrests or imprisonment.

Dozens were convicted for participating in unauthorized protests during the campaign, with at least ten fatalities reported. Authorities maintained that the arrests were unrelated to political affiliation and followed standard investigative procedures.

recent releases of political figures

Earlier in July, Moïse Lida Kouassi, a former Defense Minister under Laurent Gbagbo and a party member, was freed after nearly a year in detention. Ibrahim Zigui, a cyberactivist aligned with the same political camp, was also released during this period.