Tensions Rise in Ivory Coast as Opposition Militants Arrested
On August 4, 2025, the African Peoples' Party–Côte d'Ivoire (PPA-CI), led by former president Laurent Gbagbo, reported the arrest of six of its militants. The party has publicly denounced these arrests as "arbitrary," claiming they are part of a broader political crackdown.
Here are the key details surrounding the incident:
Who was arrested? Six members of the PPA-CI, including senior party officials, were arrested in Yopougon, a suburb of Abidjan, on the night of Saturday, August 2, 2025. The party claims they were "abducted and taken to unknown locations."
The context of the arrests: The arrests followed an incident in Yopougon on Friday, August 1, where a bus was set on fire and a police vehicle was damaged by unidentified individuals.
Government's position: Ivory Coast's Interior Minister, Vagondo Diomandé, defended the arrests, stating they were not arbitrary and that due legal processes were being followed. Diomandé also released a video showing a man who identified himself as a PPA-CI member confessing to his involvement in the bus attack.
PPA-CI's response: The opposition party has condemned the bus attack but denies any involvement. The PPA-CI views the arrests as an attempt to silence political opposition ahead of the presidential election on October 12, 2025. This comes amid high political tensions following the disqualification of key rivals to President Alassane Ouattara and his contested bid for a fourth term.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
