The Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI-RDA) is experiencing a period of turbulence. At the center of the storm is a legal battle between Valérie Yapo, a former member of the party’s Political Bureau, and its current president, Tidjane Thiam. The outcome of this case, with a verdict expected on May 22, raises serious questions about the legitimacy of the PDCI’s current leadership.

A Fundamental Challenge

Valérie Yapo disputes the validity of Tidjane Thiam’s election as head of the party, which took place in December 2023. She argues that he was not eligible for the position at the time of the vote, as he allegedly did not hold Ivorian nationality at that point. According to her, Thiam officially renounced his French citizenship only in March 2025—meaning, if proven true, that his election could be deemed null and void.

Allegations of Electoral Irregularities

Beyond the nationality issue, Yapo also highlights several irregularities in the internal electoral process that brought Thiam to power. She claims that the election violated party procedures and that the integrity of the process itself should be questioned.

An Exclusion Deemed Unlawful

In addition, Valérie Yapo is contesting her own exclusion from the PDCI, which she says was carried out by party organs illegitimately established by Thiam. She has taken legal action to annul the decision, arguing that the bodies that expelled her had no legal authority to do so.

A Legal Loophole?

Under increasing legal pressure, Tidjane Thiam announced his resignation from the presidency of the PDCI on May 11, 2025—only to be re-elected to the same position three days later at an extraordinary party congress. Yapo sees this move as an attempt to sidestep the judiciary and retroactively legitimize an initially illegal election.

A Major Political Stakes

The verdict expected on May 22 is highly anticipated—not only by PDCI members but also by the broader Ivorian political class. The stakes are high: if Yapo’s accusations are upheld, Tidjane Thiam’s position could be seriously weakened, especially as he is seen as a potential candidate in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 2025.

The PDCI, one of the historic pillars of Ivorian politics, thus finds itself at a crucial crossroads—caught between the prospect of democratic renewal and a deepening leadership crisis.