A court in Abidjan has ruled that Tidjane Thiam, leader of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire and former CEO of Credit Suisse, is ineligible to contest the October 2025 presidential election. The decision, based on his prior acquisition of French citizenship in 1987, led to his removal from the electoral roll, a prerequisite for candidacy under Ivorian law.
Despite Thiam’s renunciation of French nationality in February 2025, the court determined that his Ivorian citizenship was forfeited upon obtaining French nationality, rendering his current status insufficient for eligibility. The ruling is final and not subject to appeal, effectively barring Thiam from the electoral process.
Thiam has publicly condemned the verdict as politically motivated, accusing the ruling party of manipulating the judiciary to suppress opposition. He emphasized his commitment to democratic principles and vowed to continue advocating for transparent elections. The PDCI, under his leadership, has expressed unwavering support, stating there will be no alternative candidate.
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