Ivory Coast Opposition Leader Exits as Presidential Race Heats Up

Tidjane Thiam has stepped down as leader of Ivory Coast’s main opposition party, the PDCI, amid legal disputes over his eligibility. The former Credit Suisse CEO, barred from running in October’s presidential election due to dual French-Ivorian citizenship, relinquished the role, paving the way for a party vice president to take over as interim leader. Thiam, who renounced his French citizenship in February, will now serve as deputy chairman. His leadership remains in limbo pending a May 15 court ruling on his eligibility to lead the PDCI. He has also appealed the decision that removed him from the voters’ roll. With other key opposition figures also disqualified, all eyes are now on 83-year-old President Alassane Ouattara, who is widely expected to run for a controversial fourth term.