Opposition Detentions: Six local PDCI officials were freed after months in Abidjan’s anti-terrorism chamber, according to their lawyer, following a wider crackdown around the 2025 presidential vote that saw protests, convictions and deaths. ECOWAS Appointments: ECOWAS approved new commissioners, judges and senior posts for 2026–2030, including Dr Kalilou Sylla (Ivory Coast) as commissioner for internal services, signaling a fresh regional governance cycle. Regional Energy Security: ECOWAS backed the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline, a corridor expected to run through Côte d’Ivoire and other states, with security and protection of infrastructure across multiple jurisdictions a key concern. Cocoa Value Push: Four major cocoa producers, including Côte d’Ivoire, signed a pact in Abuja to push value addition and curb raw bean exports, aiming to strengthen bargaining power and attract processing investment. Local Innovation & Mobility: Ivorian startup Ecobyke joined FasterCapital’s EquityPilot to scale shared electric bikes and scooters across African cities. Human Rights in Focus: Survivors of sex trafficking described being lured from Nigeria to Côte d’Ivoire with false job promises, rescued in a joint operation involving Côte d’Ivoire’s anti-trafficking authorities. Inflation Watch: Bloomberg reports African central banks face fresh inflation pressure after Hormuz disruptions, with Côte d’Ivoire among fuel-import-dependent countries.