Ivorian opposition figure Tidjane Thiam will remain president of his party following a months-long legal battle that could have removed him from office, a court in Abidjan announced on Thursday morning.

A member of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) had filed a lawsuit challenging Thiam’s presidency, arguing that he was not an Ivorian national at the time of his election in December 2023. Thiam remains ineligible for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 25, 2025, due to ongoing issues regarding his nationality.

Born in Côte d’Ivoire, Thiam lost his Ivorian nationality when he acquired French citizenship in 1987. According to the court, he only regained Ivorian nationality in March 2025, after renouncing his French citizenship.

On Thursday, the court ruled that Thiam had been "illegally" elected in December 2023 when he was not considered an Ivorian citizen, which violated the party's rules. However, in mid-May, Thiam resigned from his position and was re-elected after having officially renounced his French nationality.

"I made the president resign, which proves I was right," said party activist Valérie Yapo to the press.
"Mission accomplished," added her lawyer, Alain Bokola.

Meanwhile, PDCI lawyers expressed satisfaction with the outcome. “We’re pleased because the goal was to demonstrate that the PDCI is functioning properly and is well governed,” stated attorney Rodrigue Dadje.
“We have no need to appeal the decision… we won this case,” he said, adding that he still maintains Thiam never truly lost his Ivorian nationality.

Tidjane Thiam is one of four opposition figures barred from running in the upcoming presidential election—an issue their political parties continue to challenge.
President Alassane Ouattara has yet to confirm whether he will seek a fourth term.