Ivory coast prepares for its October 2025 presidential election, the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) finds itself in political turmoil following the removal of its designated candidate, Tidjane Thiam, from the electoral roll.
The exclusion of the former banker and party president has shaken one of the country’s main opposition parties and reignited debate over the fairness of the electoral process.
On April 22, 2025, Ivorian courts confirmed Thiam’s exclusion, citing an automatic loss of nationality after he acquired French citizenship in 1987. Although Thiam renounced his French nationality in March 2025, the courts deemed this action too late.
His lawyers maintain that he should have benefited from a legal exception, given his French nationality was acquired through his father’s lineage, but the appeal was unsuccessful.
Thiam is not alone in being barred from the race. Former President Laurent Gbagbo, former minister Charles Blé Goudé, and ex-Prime Minister Guillaume Soro are also excluded for legal reasons, leaving the opposition without several of its most prominent figures.
Many view these judicial decisions as politically motivated, echoing past controversies in Ivorian elections. Analysts note that outgoing President Alassane Ouattara himself faced exclusion in 2000 on similar grounds.
Within the PDCI, Thiam’s removal has triggered internal tensions. A faction calling itself the Initiative for Reconciliation and Safeguarding of the PDCI-RDA has urged a new party convention to select an alternative candidate.
Professor Albert Yao, a member of the Political Bureau, warned: “The uncertainty surrounding the PDCI’s participation in the presidential election is demobilizing our activists.”
In response, Sylvestre Emmou, the party’s executive secretary, dismissed these concerns as “noisy” and highlighted growing membership under Thiam’s leadership.
Despite being barred, Thiam remains politically active. On August 9, 2025, a peaceful march in Yopougon drew hundreds of thousands to protest the exclusion of key opposition figures and Ouattara’s bid for a fourth term.
Thiam praised the demonstration as a “demonstration of civic-mindedness and patriotism” and asserted that over 169,000 sponsorships had been collected in support of his candidacy.
With candidacy deadlines approaching, the PDCI faces critical decisions: appoint a replacement for Thiam, pursue a strategic alliance, or risk entering the election without its main figurehead.
Meanwhile, civil society, regional bodies like ECOWAS, and international observers are closely watching, raising questions about the inclusivity and credibility of Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral process.
The coming weeks may determine whether the PDCI can recover from this political setback or if the exclusion of its key figures will reshape the opposition landscape entirely.
About The Author
