Ivory Coast: Tidjane Thiam Faces Challenges in PDCI Leadership
By Yahaya Idris
Tidjane Thiam, former CEO of Credit Suisse, entered Ivorian politics by becoming leader of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) in December 2023. However, his dual nationality-holding both Ivorian and French citizenship at the time-triggered legal challenges regarding his eligibility under Ivorian law and party rules, which require sole Ivorian citizenship.
In March 2025, Thiam renounced his French citizenship to comply with these requirements. Despite this, his eligibility remained contested, leading to a judicial review and his resignation in May 2025, citing “judicial harassment”.
Shortly after, he was re-elected unopposed as PDCI leader in a strategic move to bypass the challenge, securing nearly 100% of the vote in a congress held just days after his resignation.
The court ruling on his leadership eligibility has been postponed multiple times, with a decision expected on May 22, 2025.
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Thiam acknowledged the ongoing struggle to be registered as a presidential candidate for the 2025 election, emphasizing that the battle is not over and that he remains focused on bringing the party back to power.
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The PDCI faces significant legal and political hurdles ahead of the October 2025 presidential election, with analysts suggesting the party may need a contingency plan if Thiam’s candidacy is ultimately disqualified.
Despite stepping down, Thiam’s influence persists, and his political comeback highlights the tense and uncertain landscape in Ivory Coast as it prepares for a crucial election that could impact the country and the broader West African region.
