Ivory Coast bars Gbagbo, Thiam from 2025 election amid protests

The court cited their removal from the electoral roll as grounds for exclusion. The final candidate list retains five contenders, including incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term in office.

The ruling immediately sparked anger among opposition supporters and follows months of political tension. Earlier this year, massive street demonstrations across Abidjan and other major cities saw tens of thousands protesting against Ouattara’s decision to run again. Security forces responded with tear gas and arrests, underscoring the country’s volatile political climate.

For Gbagbo, the decision is a dramatic setback. The former head of state, acquitted by the International Criminal Court in 2019 and restored to the political scene, had been banking on a comeback. Tidjane Thiam, former Credit Suisse CEO and current leader of the PDCI-RDA, was widely seen as a unifying figure for the opposition. Their exclusion leaves the opposition fragmented, with no heavyweight figure able to challenge Ouattara’s entrenched political machinery.

Analysts note that the move risks reigniting old rivalries and deepening mistrust in electoral institutions. With Côte d’Ivoire’s history of post-election violence, the Council’s ruling raises questions about stability in the weeks ahead. Observers from the African Union and ECOWAS are expected to intensify monitoring as the campaign period officially begins.