Ivory Coast opposition leaders summoned by antiterrorist court

Judicial authorities in Abidjan have issued a series of summons to high-ranking members of Ivory Coast's main opposition parties, the PDCI-RDA and the PPA-CI. The summonses, issued by the antiterrorist section of the Court of First Instance, involve multiple officials scheduled for hearings between October 15 and October 23, 2026.

The PDCI-RDA has denounced the move as a “maneuver of intimidation” and a “serious political signal,” accusing the judiciary of being politically instrumentalized to pressure those demanding democratic guarantees. The party identified six targeted leaders, including vice-president Georges Philippe Ezaley and former minister Alain Cocauthrey.

Similarly, the PPA-CI reported that five of its cadres were summoned. The party noted that some members, such as Koua Justin Banouakou and Dahi Nestor Douhouré, are already under judicial control or incarcerated. No specific motives or charges have been publicly disclosed by the court regarding these proceedings.