Tidjane Thiam has made a political comeback as the leader of Ivory Coast’s opposition PDCI party, days after resigning over dual nationality issues. Though elected party president in December 2023, his French citizenship made him ineligible under party rules. Consequently, he renounced his French citizenship and quit as party leader. Thiam is now back as party leader after standing as the sole candidate in a strategic rerun, which party members described as a clever workaround. However, his sights are set beyond party leadership, remaining focused on the 2025 presidential race. Still, political analysts warn his eligibility remains uncertain unless electoral rules shift. As the PDCI navigates legal roadblocks and bets on dialogue with the government, one thing is clear: for Thiam, the real contest has only just begun.
