Opposition Leader Tidjane Thiam Set to Be Named Ivory Coast Presidential Candidate

Abidjan, 16 April 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Ivory Coast’s main opposition party, the centre-right Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), is expected to formally nominate businessman and former international banker Tidjane Thiam as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election, anticipated to take place in October.

Mr Thiam, who has spent much of the past two decades abroad in senior executive roles at global financial institutions such as Aviva and Credit Suisse, is the sole contender for the PDCI ticket. The nomination is due to be confirmed at a party convention later on Wednesday, with thousands of party members casting their votes at polling centres nationwide throughout the day.

“This convention is about galvanising our support base,” said Simon Doho, a senior MP with the PDCI. “Officially endorsing Thiam will lend him broader legitimacy as we move into an intense election campaign.”

The PDCI, a historically dominant party, has been out of executive power for over two decades. With its resurgence under Thiam’s leadership, party leaders believe they now have a genuine opportunity to challenge the ruling party in what is already proving to be a tense and uncertain pre-election environment.

The road to candidacy, however, has not been without controversy. Thiam has faced a significant legal and political challenge concerning his nationality. Critics have claimed that he renounced his Ivorian citizenship by becoming a French national in 1987. Thiam responded in March by declaring that he had relinquished his French citizenship in order to meet the eligibility requirements to stand for the presidency. The PDCI has firmly dismissed suggestions that his Ivorian nationality is invalid.

Tensions are mounting as the country enters the final six months before the vote. Former president Laurent Gbagbo remains barred from running, as do other prominent figures including Charles Blé Goudé, his former political ally, and Guillaume Soro, a former prime minister. All three have expressed a desire to contest the presidency but face legal hurdles that are likely to disqualify them.

In the meantime, the ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) is widely expected to re-nominate President Alassane Ouattara for a fourth term. At 83 years old, Mr Ouattara remains a divisive figure, and his potential candidacy has sparked criticism from those who view it as a challenge to the spirit of democratic renewal.

Political analyst Geoffroy Kouao noted that while Thiam brings prestige and international experience, his extended absence from the country means he may struggle to connect with ordinary Ivorians. “He is not yet a household name to the majority of voters,” Kouao said. “The PDCI will have to work doubly hard to engage with citizens and communicate a clear policy agenda.”

The list of official candidates is expected to be published by the electoral commission in June, setting the stage for what many observers fear could be a volatile electoral season. Political rallies have already intensified, particularly in the capital Abidjan and throughout the provinces.

Kouao warned that early signs point to a turbulent run-up to the election: “The 25 October vote has already begun under a cloud. The tone of political discourse is escalating, and we’re beginning to see symptoms of electoral disorder. The challenge now will be to steer the process towards a peaceful and transparent outcome.”