Tidjane Thiam Renounces French Citizenship for Ivory Coast Election

Tidjane Thiam, the former CEO of Credit Suisse, has renounced his French citizenship to qualify for the upcoming presidential election in Ivory Coast this October. Thiam, who became the leader of the opposition party Parti Démocratique de la Côte d'Ivoire (PDCI) in 2023, announced his decision in a Facebook video, emphasizing his commitment to improving living conditions for Ivorians. Having previously served as a minister under former President Henri Konan Bedie, Thiam left the country after a coup in 1999 and built an international career before returning to politics. His move comes amidst discussions about President Alassane Ouattara's potential fourth term, which may provoke resistance from opposition parties. Thiam's candidacy is expected to intensify the political landscape in Ivory Coast as election season approaches. Former Trade Minister Jean-Louis Billon is also seeking the PDCI nomination, adding to the competition.