Ivory Coast’s main opposition leader, Tidjane Thiam, has been removed from the electoral roll by a judicial ruling that deems him ineligible to run in October’s presidential election.
Thiam, who recently renounced his French citizenship in a bid to contest the election, was disqualified by the court on Thursday. The court ruled that the former Credit Suisse CEO forfeited his Ivorian nationality when he acquired French citizenship in 1987.
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Calling the ruling an “act of democratic vandalism,” Thiam said it would disenfranchise millions of voters. His disqualification comes just a week after his confirmation as the presidential candidate for the centre-right Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI).
The ruling party, RHDP, has yet to announce its candidate, though speculation points to 83-year-old President Alassane Ouattara seeking a controversial fourth term. Three other prominent political figures, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, have also been barred from running.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Thiam said: “It’s no surprise this ruling comes as our support among voters continues to grow. After 15 years in power, RHDP leaders are running scared. They want to monopolise power rather than face the judgement of the electorate.”
Thiam’s political journey began after becoming the first Ivorian to pass the entrance exam to France’s elite École Polytechnique. He later returned to Ivory Coast, where he was appointed planning minister in 1998 at the age of 36. Following a coup that ousted the PDCI from power in 1999, he left the country and built a prominent international business career.
BBC
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