Ivory Coast’s opposition leader and former Credit Suisse CEO, Tidjane Thiam, has been excluded from the final list of presidential candidates for the October 2025 election.
This was confirmed by a senior official from the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) on Wednesday.
The decision by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has sparked concerns about democratic backsliding in the world’s top cocoa-producing nation.
In April, Thiam age 62, vowed to continue his presidential bid despite a court ruling that disqualified him due to his French nationality at the time of registration.
He emphasized his commitment to fighting for democracy, stating, “We will fight, fight for democracy and peace in our country,”
Escalating Tensions in Ivory Coast
The CEI’s decision risks reigniting tensions in a country still healing from a decade-long civil war in the early 2000s, which was fueled partly by disputes over nationality and electoral eligibility.
Thiam’s exclusion is not an isolated case. Other prominent figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo and his ally Charles Blé Goudé.
The both acquitted of crimes against humanity related to the civil war, were also deemed ineligible.
Similarly, former Prime Minister Guillaume Soro, sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment in 2021 for allegedly plotting a coup, was barred from running.
Political Landscape Ahead of the Election
President Alassane Ouattara, who has served three terms, has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election.
His ruling Rally of Houphouëtists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) party is set to announce its candidate on June 21-22, 2025.
The exclusion of key opposition figures like Thiam, Gbagbo, and Soro raises questions about the inclusivity and fairness of the upcoming election.
Thiam’s Legal Response
In response to his exclusion, Thiam’s lawyer, Mathias Chichportich, announced that a complaint was filed with the United Nations Human Rights Committee on Tuesday.
“This action seeks to compel the Ivorian state to take all necessary measures to ensure that the presidential election is held under fair, inclusive, and democratic conditions,” Chichportich stated.
Implications for Ivory Coast’s Democracy
The barring of high-profile candidates could deepen political divisions in Ivory Coast, a nation striving to maintain stability after years of conflict.
As the October election approaches, the international community is closely monitoring developments to assess whether Ivory Coast can uphold democratic principles in its electoral process.
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