Former President Laurent Gbagbo has reaffirmed his intention to contest Côte d’Ivoire’s October elections at the PPA-CI’s Renaissance Festival in Dabou.

He blasted the Independent Electoral Commission, accusing it of long-standing dysfunction and voter fraud under current Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé.

Though still officially barred from running, Gbagbo insisted he’ll be on the ballot and urged supporters to push for electoral reforms.

He also used the platform to rally African leaders toward building stronger democratic institutions continent-wide.