As Ivory Coast gears up for its October 2025 presidential election, a significant political alliance is taking shape. Charles Blé Goudé, president of the Pan-African Congress for Justice and Equality of Peoples (COJEP), has committed to backing Ahoua Don Mello in securing the necessary sponsorships for his candidacy.
The two influential figures met recently at COJEP’s headquarters in Abidjan, in a meeting both described as “decisive” for the future of the Ivorian left.
Ahoua Don Mello, a historic figure of the Ivorian left and former key member of Laurent Gbagbo’s PPA-CI, stands as a declared candidate in the upcoming election.
The meeting represents a strategic effort to unite progressive forces and strengthen the left’s position within the national political arena.
In a heartfelt tribute, Blé Goudé praised Don Mello as a “master” and “trainer” who shaped his political awakening.
“We share the same left-wing vision and the same aspiration to see our political movement return to power,” Blé Goudé stated, underscoring the urgency to overcome divisions and personal rivalries that have hampered progress in recent years.
Although Blé Goudé’s name does not appear on the electoral list, he assured that COJEP will actively support Don Mello’s drive to gather the sponsorships required for candidacy.
“We will refine our project to give hope to Ivorians and address the real challenges facing society,” he said, calling for a focus on essentials rather than controversies.
The encounter also reinforced a shared commitment to rebuild a united and credible left-wing force capable of challenging dominant political blocs. For Blé Goudé, this unity is not only a strategic move but a vital step to influence public debate and champion governance rooted in social justice and equality.
Addressing young Ivorians, Blé Goudé reflected on the hardships endured by his generation: “Behind our smiles, there are wounds that we carry for life. We have traveled difficult paths, but the struggle continues.
With the support of figures like Ahoua Don Mello, our youth can feel encouraged.”
With just two months until the election, this partnership signals a potential reshaping of Ivory Coast’s political left, promising a renewed push for progressive change in the country’s political landscape.
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