The Coalition for a Peaceful Political Alternation in Côte d’Ivoire (CAP-CI) continues to weaken. Following the withdrawal of Charles Blé Goudé’s Pan-African Congress for Justice and Equality of Peoples (COJEP), it is now the Generations and Capable People Movement (MGC), led by former First Lady Simone Ehivet, that has announced its departure from the opposition alliance.

Launched in March 2025, the coalition brought together around twenty opposition parties, excluding the African Peoples’ Party – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA-CI) of former President Laurent Gbagbo. CAP-CI had notably been advocating for electoral reforms and political dialogue with the government.

Does this new withdrawal reveal deepening divisions within the Ivorian opposition?

Former First Lady Simone Ehivet has officially confirmed the withdrawal of her party, the Generations and Capable People Movement, from the opposition coalition for a peaceful political alternation in Côte d’Ivoire.

The decision was formalized through a letter dated January 6, addressed to the president of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), Tidjane Thiam, who also serves as coordinator of the Conference of Presidents of CAP-CI. In the letter, the president of the MGC justified her decision by citing what she described as “highly questionable strategic choices” that she believes are misaligned with the values of her party.

Until now, Simone Ehivet had served as spokesperson for CAP-CI. The coalition had set itself the objective of securing electoral reforms and initiating political dialogue with the government—demands that have so far remained unanswered.

A “No-Surprise” Withdrawal

Following the most recent legislative elections, the MGC failed to win any parliamentary seats. The former First Lady has denounced what she describes as an “opaque, unbalanced and non-consensual electoral system.”

The MGC’s withdrawal from CAP-CI comes as “no surprise,” according to the president of the Republican Union for Democracy, speaking to RFI. “Disagreements intensified with Simone Ehivet’s presidential bid, while major political figures were sidelined,” said Daniel Bony Claverie, who is also vice-president of CAP-CI.

In his view, the opposition has become “fragmented,” allowing the ruling party to reap the benefits. For its part, the PDCI declined to comment on the MGC’s departure.

According to Dr. César Flan Moquet, Director of the Abidjan Political Research Center (CRPA), the withdrawals of both the MGC and the COJEP reflect the weakening of CAP-CI following the victories of the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) in 2025, as well as internal disagreements over strategy—particularly the controversial call to protest against a fourth presidential term.