The Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire – African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA) is holding a new election this Wednesday to re-elect Tidjane Thiam as party president. This move comes in response to a series of internal disputes and legal actions challenging the legitimacy of his initial election.

Elected in December 2023 with 96.48% of the vote during an extraordinary congress, Tidjane Thiam’s leadership was contested by several party members. Some activists filed legal complaints, arguing that the election did not comply with the party’s statutes—particularly regarding the required length of time as a member of the Political Bureau and questions surrounding his nationality. Although Thiam officially renounced his French citizenship in February 2025, some critics argue this is not sufficient to validate his eligibility.

In an effort to ease tensions and preserve party unity ahead of the 2025 presidential election, the PDCI-RDA leadership decided to hold a new internal vote. The aim is clear: to reinforce Tidjane Thiam’s legitimacy and put an end to internal divisions.

Through this re-election, the PDCI-RDA seeks to clarify its leadership and strategically position itself for the upcoming national elections.