On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the Ivorian government responded to Tidjane Thiam’s referral to the United Nations Human Rights Committee. Thiam is the President of the PDCI-RDA and a declared candidate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025.

Questioned after the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by President Alassane Ouattara, government spokesperson Amadou Coulibaly stated, “We will assess the matter once the conclusions have been delivered.” This cautious response signals a reserved stance on the political leader’s action on the international stage.

The Minister of Communication also emphasized that bringing cases before international bodies is not unprecedented. “Côte d’Ivoire is a sovereign state. It is true that the country is a signatory to many international conventions, but it ensures that these commitments do not undermine its sovereignty,” he stressed.

Tidjane Thiam recently filed a complaint with the UN Human Rights Committee, which monitors the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. According to his associates, this action follows what he sees as an inability to effectively defend his civil and political rights within Ivorian courts due to several judicial decisions deemed restrictive.

Having found no effective remedy under domestic law to assert his rights, Mr. Thiam chose to appeal to the UN Committee. This body may be petitioned by individuals, provided the state in question has ratified the Optional Protocol to the Covenant which Côte d’Ivoire did on March 5, 1997.