Jean-Louis Billon, former trade minister of Ivory Coast, has declared his intention to run for president in the upcoming October election, aiming to lead the opposition Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI). This announcement follows the disqualification of former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam from the presidential race last week.
Thiam’s exclusion has intensified political uncertainty in the world’s leading cocoa-producing nation, which has experienced election-related violence in the past — most notably a post-election crisis in 2010 that claimed around 3,000 lives.
In an interview with Reuters in Abidjan, the 60-year-old Billon criticized party leadership for mishandling the legal defense of Thiam’s candidacy. While he is currently seeking the PDCI’s endorsement, Billon did not completely dismiss the idea of running under a different political banner.
“I’m requesting the PDCI’s support,” he said. “It’s unfortunate that President Thiam was eliminated, but it was due to poor preparation by some party leaders. In politics, you must always be ready with alternative strategies.”
Last week, the electoral commission released its final list of approved candidates, officially excluding Thiam. The former banking executive, who renounced his French citizenship in February to meet eligibility criteria, condemned the ruling as a blow to democracy. Despite his efforts to comply, an Ivorian court ruled in April that he remained ineligible because he was still a French national at the time of registration.
Questions of national identity continue to stir tension in Ivory Coast, and Thiam’s disqualification has renewed concerns about political stability ahead of the election. Similar issues previously barred current President Alassane Ouattara from contesting, though he ultimately won the 2010 vote. Now 83, Ouattara has not confirmed if he will seek another term.
Billon pledged that, if elected, he would work to repeal laws restricting dual nationality, citing the reality of many Ivorians holding multiple citizenships due to migration.
“There are thousands of Ivorians living abroad who end up with dual nationality,” he said.
He also outlined his policy goals, including civil service reform, anti-corruption measures, increased private sector investment, and relocating more government offices to the political capital, Yamoussoukro.
Calling for generational change in Ivorian politics, Billon stated: “Ivory Coast needs renewal. I believe it’s time for the older generation to step aside.”
