In a dramatic twist ahead of Ivory Coast’s high-stakes October elections, four major opposition figures — Tijane Thiam, Laurent Gbagbo, Charles Blé Goudé, and Guillaume Soro — have been officially barred from running or even voting, as the final electoral list was released this week.
This controversial move, confirmed by a senior official from Thiam’s Democratic Party on Wednesday, is sending ripples through the country’s political landscape — and could reshape the entire race.
🔹 Tijane Thiam, the president of the main opposition party, was disqualified earlier in April over claims surrounding his French nationality. Now, that exclusion is official and final.
🔹 Laurent Gbagbo (former president), Charles Blé Goudé, and Guillaume Soro (former prime minister, currently in exile) have all been off the list for years due to past criminal convictions.
And it’s not just candidacy — all four are also barred from voting, raising questions about democratic inclusivity in the upcoming election.
With no revisions to the electoral list planned, according to the Independent Electoral Commission, Thiam has vowed to fight back, launching an appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee in what could become a defining legal and political battle.
🎯 With just months to go, one thing is clear: the road to Ivory Coast’s 2025 election is already turbulent — and the storm may just be beginning.
English