In Cote D’Ivoire, a close collaborator of former Ivorian Prime Minister, Guillaume Soro, has been convicted for the second time in a week.

The Abidjan-Plateau court sentenced Soumahoro Kando to 36 months in prison, with 24 months firm and 12 months suspended, for illegally maintaining a political party and disturbing public order.

Kando, honorary president of Generations and People in Solidarity (GPS), participated in a press conference on August 9, 2024, calling for electoral reforms.

The prosecution argued that GPS, dissolved in 2021, is a political entity aiming to seize power.

Kando’s defence claimed GPS is an association, not a political party but the court maintained that keeping a dissolved association alive is an offence.

Kando who has 20 days to appeal the ruling, has been calling for inclusive dialogues for credible elections in 2025.

Another GPS leader, Mamadou Traoré, was sentenced to two years in prison for criticizing the government on Facebook.