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Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Abidjan on Saturday to support Ivorian opposition leader Tidjane Thiam, after he was barred from contesting the upcoming presidential election.
Thiam, a former French citizen, was removed from the electoral roll by a court ruling on April 22, which argued he had forfeited his Ivorian nationality when he obtained French citizenship in 1987. Though he renounced his French nationality in March in preparation for his presidential bid, the court cited Article 48 of a 1960s-era nationality law to justify his exclusion.
Supporters of Thiam, who remains in France, converged at the rally organised by his party, the Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), to voice their anger over the decision. Senior party leaders called for nationwide mobilisation in protest against what they labelled a politically motivated move.
“Let us have courage and determination to push back against this blatant injustice, this tyranny and fear,” said PDCI vice-president Noel Akossi Bendjo, addressing the crowd. “Are you afraid now? Rid yourself of that fear. It is because of fear that they continue to oppress us.”
Born in Ivory Coast, the 62-year-old Thiam held French nationality for decades before giving it up earlier this year in a bid to meet eligibility requirements for the presidency, which prohibit dual citizenship. However, the court’s interpretation of the law effectively deemed him no longer Ivorian.
“The PDCI loudly proclaims that Tidjane Thiam is Ivorian, and his nationality is beyond question,” Bendjo said to chants of “Titi, president” from the crowd, using Thiam’s nickname.
He reaffirmed that Thiam remains the party’s sole candidate for the election, despite the court’s decision.
While Thiam’s camp has staged smaller demonstrations since the ruling, Saturday’s turnout marked a significant show of support. A previous call for protests on 25 April had only drawn a few hundred participants.
Other prominent opposition figures, including former president Laurent Gbagbo, have also been barred from running due to past convictions.
The ruling party, meanwhile, has yet to announce its candidate. President Alassane Ouattara, 83, who has held office since 2011, has indicated a desire to “continue serving” the country, but has not confirmed whether he will stand again.
