Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), has announced a nationwide protest on June 11 to oppose the electoral commission’s exclusion of its presidential candidate Tidjane Thiam from the 2025 voter roll. The protest, set to begin in Abidjan, is intended to denounce what the PDCI calls an “unfair and abusive” move by the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI). Thiam, a former Credit Suisse CEO and one of the most prominent opposition figures, was omitted from the provisional electoral list, reportedly due to alleged irregularities in his registration.
The party says it has engaged in talks with police authorities to ensure that the protest remains peaceful and compliant with public order laws. In addition to the protest, the PDCI has formally petitioned the United Nations Human Rights Committee, claiming Thiam’s exclusion is a violation of political and civil rights under international law.
Party spokespersons argue that Thiam’s exclusion appears politically motivated, given his increasing popularity ahead of the 2025 election, which could pose a serious challenge to the ruling RHDP party led by President Alassane Ouattara. The PDCI has also called for greater international scrutiny of Côte d’Ivoire’s electoral process, amid rising political tensions in the country ahead of next year’s high-stakes vote.
