Thousands protest in Ivory Coast over opposition leader’s disqualification from presidential election

Thousands of protesters gathered in Ivory Coast’s commercial capital, Abidjan, on Saturday, demanding the reinstatement of prominent opposition leader, Tidjane Thiam, on the electoral roll ahead of the country’s presidential election set for October.

Braving heavy rains, demonstrators assembled peacefully near the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) offices, carrying signs and chanting slogans in support of Thiam, a former Credit Suisse CEO and leader of the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI).

The protest followed a decision by the CEI on June 4 to exclude Thiam and three other leading opposition figures from the final list of presidential candidates, according to Africanews.

Earlier this year, an Ivorian court had ruled Thiam ineligible to run due to his dual Ivorian-French nationality.

Though born in Ivory Coast, Thiam acquired French citizenship in 1987 but officially renounced it in March this year — a move he hoped would clear his candidacy.

“This is not just about my case. It’s a movement to uphold democracy in our country,” Thiam said in a Facebook video message, thanking supporters and pledging to join them in Abidjan soon.

Dressed in green and white — the PDCI’s colors — protesters carried placards reading “Corrupt Justice” and “Thithi President,” while PDCI officials delivered a formal letter to the CEI demanding the reinstatement of all excluded opposition candidates.

“We strongly denounce the arbitrary and unjust removal of President Thiam and other opposition leaders from the electoral list,” PDCI Executive Secretary Sylvestre Emmou told reporters after the meeting with election officials.

The dispute comes amid rising political tensions ahead of a ruling party congress later this month, where President Alassane Ouattara is widely expected to announce his candidacy for the October 25 poll.

Ouattara, who has been in office since 2011, is currently serving a third term.

Although the country’s constitution limits presidents to two terms, Ouattara argues the provision does not apply to him due to constitutional changes passed in 2016. His controversial re-election in 2020, boycotted by the opposition, was marred by unrest.

The escalating tensions have raised concerns of potential post-election violence in a country still haunted by the 2010-2011 crisis, which claimed over 3,000 lives following a disputed vote.

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