Tidjane Thiam, the prominent opposition leader in Ivory Coast, has announced his resignation as the head of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), but emphasized that he remains committed to his bid for the presidency in 2025 despite facing legal challenges.
The decision comes after a court in Abidjan ruled last month that Thiam was ineligible to run in the upcoming presidential elections. The court determined that the 62-year-old former banker lost his Ivorian nationality when he obtained French citizenship in 1987, a violation of the country’s electoral law, which prohibits dual citizenship for presidential candidates.
Thiam’s disqualification was further complicated by a legal challenge within his own party. A PDCI member has questioned the validity of Thiam’s election as party leader, raising concerns over his nationality status when he assumed the position.
Despite stepping down from his role as party president, Thiam made it clear that he has no intention of abandoning his presidential aspirations. In a speech shared on social media, he told his supporters: “In the interest of the party, I’ve decided to place my mandate as president of the party in your hands, the activists.” He reiterated his pledge to lead the party to victory in the 2025 presidential election, reaffirming his commitment to the cause he championed since December 2023.
Thiam’s eligibility to run for president was further complicated by the country’s strict laws regarding dual citizenship. Born in Ivory Coast, he renounced his French citizenship in March 2024 in an effort to comply with the nation’s constitutional requirements and re-enter the race.
Thiam’s exclusion from the electoral list mirrors the challenges faced by other opposition leaders in Ivory Coast. Former president Laurent Gbagbo, who remains a powerful figure in Ivorian politics, has also been barred from the presidential race due to past court convictions, further illustrating the legal and political complexities surrounding the 2025 elections.
As Ivory Coast moves closer to its next presidential election, the political landscape remains divided, with legal challenges and internal party disputes continuing to shape the opposition’s strategies. Thiam’s announcement to step down while holding on to his presidential ambitions reflects the ongoing struggle for leadership and legitimacy within the country’s political sphere.