Archive · 5 Jun 2025
Ivory Coast Bars Opposition Figures From Presidential Race
In Ivory Coast, four important people who wanted to run for president can't.
This is because of old issues like nationality or past convictions.
One of these people is Tidjane Thiam, and he says it's not fair.
Other people in the opposition agree, saying the election won't be peaceful.
The government says they are just following the rules and the courts' decisions.
About 8.7 million people can vote, but some worry the election might not be fair because of these exclusions.
Four prominent opposition figures are barred from running in the October presidential election.
Tidjane Thiam was excluded due to doubts about his Ivorian nationality.
Ex-president Laurent Gbagbo and others are barred due to prior convictions.
Opposition figures express concerns about the lack of democracy and fairness.
Authorities deny political interference, citing respect for court decisions.
- Who
- Tidjane Thiam, Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Ble Goude, and Guillaume Soro.
- What
- Four opposition figures have been barred from the October presidential election.
- When
- The exclusion happened before the October presidential election.
- Where
- Ivory Coast
- Why
- To contest presidential elections, due to prior convictions or nationality concerns.
Opposition
Government
Electoral Process Integrity
Opposition
Opposition figures, like Tidjane Thiam, view their exclusion as a sign of undemocratic drift and a violation of political rights.
Government
Authorities deny any political interference, insisting they respect independent judiciary decisions.
Respect for Decisions
Opposition
Opposition figures express disappointment and feel authorities are not listening to calls for discussion.
Government
The electoral commission chief calls for court decisions to be respected to end disagreement and establish the rule of law.
- Election Date
- October
- Excluded Figures
- Four
- Registered Voters
- 8.7 million
- Current President
- Alassane Ouattara
- Tidjane Thiam's Party
- PDCI