In Côte d’Ivoire, Ahoua Don Mello, Vice President of the PPA-CI party, has called on the leadership to authorize precautionary candidacies ahead of the 2025 presidential race.

His open letter comes amid concerns over the ineligibility of former President Laurent Gbagbo, who, despite being named the party’s official candidate, remains barred due to a contested judicial conviction.

With the candidacy deadline fast approaching, Don Mello’s appeal highlights internal tensions and strategic uncertainties within the party.

The move signals a push for readiness, should Gbagbo’s legal battle fail to clear his path to the ballot.