Ivory Coast opposition leaders face terrorism charges

Several high-ranking officials from Ivory Coast’s major opposition parties, the PDCI-RDA and the PPA-CI, are facing new legal indictments related to electoral unrest surrounding the 2025 presidential election. At least nine opposition figures have been placed under judicial supervision since October 19, including PDCI-RDA Vice President Georges Philippe Ezaley, Director General Roger M’Bia, and Aziz Thiam. From the PPA-CI, Deputy Secretary General Fabrice Lago is also among those targeted.

The individuals face seventeen identical charges, including “terrorist acts,” “assault against state authority,” and “murder.” These proceedings are being handled by the specialized anti-terrorism unit of the Abidjan Court of First Instance.

Observers note a growing trend of using anti-terrorism laws—originally established to combat Sahelian jihadist threats following the 2016 Grand-Bassam attack—to address internal political disputes. The application of these charges allows for extended police custody and more stringent detention regimes, marking a significant shift in how political contestation is handled by the Ivorian judiciary.