Major Ivory Coast opposition leaders disqualified from participating in the presidential election scheduled for October.

Four prominent opposition figures in Ivory Coast have been omitted from the final electoral list for the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for October 2025, according to an announcement by the country’s Electoral Commission. This decision has raised significant concerns regarding the state of democracy within the nation, especially given its history marked by civil conflict and political upheaval.

Tidjane Thiam, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI), expressed his disappointment regarding his exclusion, describing it as a stark indication of a troubling trend toward diminished democratic governance in the country. Thiam’s disqualification was confirmed following a ruling stating that he was ineligible to run due to his dual nationality—he holds both Ivorian and French citizenship. Although he renounced his French citizenship in March, the court’s ruling came too late for him to be reinstated on the electoral roll.

Other candidates who have been disqualified from participating in the elections include former President Laurent Gbagbo and Charles Ble Goude, both figures with significant political histories and ties to the civil war. Additionally, Guillaume Soro, a former prime minister and rebel leader, is barred from the election due to a life sentence handed down in absentia for orchestrating a coup.

The absence of these seasoned political figures raises concerns regarding the inclusivity and integrity of the electoral process. Ouattara, the current president who has maintained power since 2011, remains on the electoral register, although he has yet to confirm whether he will pursue a fourth term. In previous elections, he has secured substantial victories, garnering over 80 percent of the votes in both 2015 and 2020.

Thiam has escalated his challenge by appealing to the UN Human Rights Committee, with his legal representative highlighting the deprivation of his political rights as a serious violation of international commitments that Ivory Coast is bound to uphold. Additionally, Gbagbo’s African Peoples’ Party-Ivory Coast (PPA-CI) has voiced displeasure over the government’s reluctance to engage in dialogue with opposition factions, indicating a preference for unilateral decision-making.

Despite these challenges, there are still candidates from the opposition featured on the final electoral list. Among them is Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, former First Lady, who has articulated concerns about the integrity of the upcoming election and whether the conditions are conducive for a peaceful electoral process.

The finalized electoral register reflects 8.7 million eligible voters in a nation characterized by a youthful demographic, with nearly half of its 30 million population under the age of 18. Authorities have firmly denied any suggestions of political interference, emphasizing their commitment to an independent judiciary and the democratic process.

As the election approaches, the situation remains dynamic, with calls for renewed dialogue and transparency becoming increasingly urgent among opposition parties. Observers will be closely watching whether these developments will lead to a peaceful electoral atmosphere or further exacerbate political tensions in the country.

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