Ivory Coast opposition leader quits, plots return
Thiam, who was disqualified from the race due to questions over his nationality, announced his resignation in a speech shared on social media.
Ivory Coast opposition figure Tidjane Thiam has stepped down as leader of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), but he insists this is only a pause in his push to contest the country’s presidential election in 2025.
Thiam, who was disqualified from the race due to questions over his nationality, announced his resignation in a speech shared on social media, saying he was handing over his mandate to party members “in the interest of the party.”
The 62-year-old former banker was removed from the electoral list last month after a court ruled he lost his Ivorian nationality when he acquired French citizenship in 1987.
"This decision does not change the commitment I made in December 2023 to personally lead our party to victory in October 2025. I know that after electing me in 2023, you will give me your trust again," Thiam said.
Despite stepping down, Thiam remains the party’s deputy president. His decision comes amid a legal case challenging his legitimacy as party leader, based on claims he was not Ivorian when elected.
Thiam renounced his French nationality in March to meet the requirement that presidential candidates cannot hold dual citizenship.
He has spent limited time in Ivory Coast recently, which has also drawn criticism from rivals within and outside the party.
His resignation comes at a tense political moment in the country. Three other opposition leaders, including former president Laurent Gbagbo, have also been barred from running, raising concerns about the fairness of the upcoming election.
"While we had the right to hope for inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections, it is clear that the unjustified removal of the PDCI candidate is part of an effort to eliminate the leaders of the main opposition parties to ensure tailor-made elections and a certain victory," Thiam said.
Following his resignation, PDCI deputy president Ernest N'Koumo Mobio, 92, has taken over interim leadership. He called for “cohesion, serenity and discipline” and convened an urgent party meeting, with another extraordinary congress scheduled for Wednesday. That gathering could see Thiam reinstated.
Supporters gathered early Monday at the party headquarters, waving placards reading: “Don’t touch my right to vote,” under the watch of riot police.
“Thiam made the right choice. He’ll no longer have any problems with the law as party president,” said activist Cynthia Koua.
Analyst Geofroy Kouao said the resignation was a strategic move. “Thiam has left to come back stronger. Now that he is exclusively Ivorian, he can calmly take back leadership of the PDCI,” he noted, but warned his eligibility remains uncertain with no plans to revise the electoral list before the October 25 vote.
President Alassane Ouattara, in power since 2011, has not confirmed if he will run again but has said he wants to "continue serving my country." Authorities deny political interference in the election process, insisting the judiciary is independent.
