Tidjane Thiam will be the sole candidate for the presidency of the PDCI-RDA at the party’s 9th extraordinary congress, scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025. The announcement was made in an official statement signed by Georges Philippe Ezaley, chairman of the electoral committee.
Two applications had initially been submitted: Thiam’s and that of Diakité Boukary Sidiki. However, only the former party leader’s candidacy was validated. Diakité’s application was rejected on the grounds that it did not comply with the party’s statutes—specifically, he is not a member of the Political Bureau and did not contribute to the congress’s funding, both of which are mandatory requirements.
In contrast, Tidjane Thiam’s file was deemed fully compliant with the party’s internal rules. He is thus confirmed as the sole contender for the leadership position he previously held.
Thiam, who was elected president of the PDCI-RDA on December 23, 2023, succeeding Henri Konan Bédié, had unexpectedly resigned on the night of May 12, 2025. His decision was seen as a strategic move to defuse a legal challenge from party official Valérie Yapo, who questioned his nationality at the time of his election.