Ivory Coast opposition rallies to support barred candidate
File Photo: Tidjane Thiam
ABIDJAN: Thousands of supporters of Ivory Coast's opposition candidate Tidjane Thiam gathered in Abidjan on Saturday to protest against his exclusion from the west African country's presidential vote.
A court in Abidjan struck Thiam off the electoral list on April 22, arguing the 62-year-old politician had lost Ivorian nationality when he acquired French citizenship in 1987.
Other opposition figures, including former president Laurent Gbagbo, have also been excluded from the presidential race due to judicial convictions.
Thiam is currently in France but top figures in his Democratic Party of Ivory Coast (PDCI) in Abidjan on Saturday called for national protests against his exclusion.
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"Let us have courage, arm ourselves with courage and determination to push back against this blatant injustice in our country, this tyranny and fear," said Noel Akossi Bendjo, the PDCI's vice-president, addressing "all Ivorians".
"Are you afraid now? Get rid of your fear. It is because you are afraid that they continue to do what they do, to crush us," he said.
Born in Ivory Coast, Thiam acquired French nationality in 1987 but renounced it in March in order to run for president, as candidates are not allowed to hold dual citizenship.
The Abidjan court however based its ruling on article 48 of the nationality code, dating from the 1960s, which states that acquiring another nationality means foregoing Ivorian citizenship.
The PDCI "loudly proclaims that... Thiam is Ivorian and his nationality is beyond dispute," said his party's vice-president, addressing supporters chanting "Titi, president", using Thiam's nickname.
"Thiam is the PDCI's sole candidate for the presidential election," he added.
On April 25, a call by Thiam's party for protests outside courts had drawn only a few hundred supporters. Meanwhile, the ruling party has yet to reveal its candidate. Current President Alassane Ouattara, 83, in office since 2011, has said he is eager to "continue serving my country".
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