Thiam barred from Ivory Coast election
Ivory Coast's opposition leader, Tidjane Thiam, has been excluded from the final list of presidential candidates for the upcoming election on October 25, 2025, due to a court ruling regarding his dual Ivorian-French nationality at the time of his registration. Despite renouncing his French citizenship in March 2025, the Independent Electoral Commission's decision has raised concerns about the potential revival of tensions in a country still healing from a decade-long civil war that was partly fueled by disputes over nationality and electoral eligibility.
Thiam, a former CEO of Credit Suisse and president of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), was seen as a significant challenger to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara. Following his disqualification, Thiam criticized the ruling as a sign of the country's "abandonment of democracy" and has filed a complaint with the United Nations Human Rights Committee, advocating for fair and inclusive elections.
His exclusion, along with that of other notable opposition figures, has led to significant unrest, with thousands of protesters gathering in Abidjan demanding Thiam's reinstatement and accusing the judiciary of corruption. In light of Thiam's disqualification, former trade minister Jean-Louis Billon has announced his intention to represent the PDCI in the election, criticizing party officials for their handling of Thiam's legal challenges.
The political atmosphere remains charged as the ruling party, the Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP), prepares to select its candidate later this month. President Ouattara, who has been in power since 2011 and is currently serving a third term, has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election.
