The Abidjan Court of First Instance has suspended a request for the issuance of a certificate of nationality to Tidjane Thiam, who heads the opposition Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI), due to a legal dispute over his Ivorian citizenship.
Thiam filed a request for the issuance of a certificate of nationality with the Abidjan Court of First Instance on April 9, 2025.
The Abidjan Court of First Instance stated that “it is established that Mr. Tidjane Thiam’s Ivorian nationality is being challenged before the court, through an action seeking to have his loss of
nationality declared.”
Consequently, the Abidjan Court of First Instance noted that “there is therefore reason, as things stand, to suspend the issuance of said certificate until the court hearing the challenge resolves its case.”
Following a withdrawal of his French citizenship on Wednesday, Tidjane Thiam is now exclusively Ivorian, a condition for eligibility for the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire.
Article 55 of the Ivorian constitution stipulates that all presidential candidates must be exclusively Ivorian and not hold a foreign passport.
Appearing on the electoral list, Tidjane Thiam can now run for the highest office.
However, his critics point to Article 48 of the Ivorian Nationality Code, dated December 14, 1961 which states that “any adult Ivorian who voluntarily acquires a foreign nationality, or who
declares recognition of such nationality, loses his Ivorian nationality.”
“For a period of 15 years from the date of registration in the census tables, the loss is subject to government authorisation by decree issued on the report of the Keeper of the Seals, Minister of
Justice, and after consulting the Minister of Health and Defense,” it notes.
PDCI President Tidjane Thiam submitted his candidacy for his party’s split convention on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
This primary is expected to select the party’s candidate for next October’s presidential election on April 16, 2025.
