Latest news with #Thiam
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Ivory Coast former minister Billon seeks to lead opposition in October vote
Ivory Coast former trade minister Jean-Louis Billon said he is seeking to represent the opposition PDCI party in October's presidential election after former Credit Suisse chief Tidjane Thiam was excluded from the final list of candidates last week. The question of who will carry the mantle of the main opposition party risks adding to tensions in the world's top cocoa producer, which has a history of election-related violence including a brief civil war after the 2010 presidential contest that killed about 3,000 people. In an interview with Reuters in the commercial capital Abidjan, Billon, 60, blamed party officials for the handling of legal challenges to Thiam's candidacy and did not rule out the possibility of representing another party, though he said it was too early to make such a move. 'I am asking for the PDCI's support,' he said. 'It's a shame that (PDCI) President Thiam was eliminated, but it was the result of the lack of preparation of certain party officials that led to his elimination. That's why you always have to have several strings to your bow, especially when you're in politics.' The electoral commission published its final list of candidates last week, excluding Thiam, who denounced the decision as a sign of the 'abandonment of democracy'. Ivory Coast law states that candidates must be Ivorian citizens and cannot hold another nationality. Thiam renounced his French citizenship in February in order to meet eligibility conditions for the election. But a court in Ivory Coast ruled in April that Thiam should be removed from the electoral roll because he was a French national when he registered. Thiam told Reuters after that decision that he planned to fight on and run anyway. TENSE HISTORY The notion of Ivorian identity was at the heart of past violence in Ivory Coast, and some fear lingering questions over Thiam's nationality in the run-up to the vote risk pushing those tensions back to the surface. Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara himself was barred from seeking the presidency over what opponents said were his foreign origins before he finally won election in 2010. Ouattara, 83, has not said whether he will run again this year. Billon told Reuters that if elected he would endorse a law to lift restrictions on dual nationality. 'You have thousands of Ivorians who live abroad, who have made their lives abroad, and who end up having dual nationality,' he said. Billon also said he would trim the civil service, crack down on corruption, promote private sector investment and move more government offices to Yamoussoukro, the political capital. He said it was time for Ouattara and other politicians of his generation to leave the scene. 'Ivory Coast will change. I think our elders have had their day,' he said.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ivory Coast former minister Billon seeks to lead opposition in October vote
ABIDJAN (Reuters) -Ivory Coast former trade minister Jean-Louis Billon said he is seeking to represent the opposition PDCI party in October's presidential election after former Credit Suisse chief Tidjane Thiam was excluded from the final list of candidates last week. The question of who will carry the mantle of the main opposition party risks adding to tensions in the world's top cocoa producer, which has a history of election-related violence including a brief civil war after the 2010 presidential contest that killed about 3,000 people. In an interview with Reuters in the commercial capital Abidjan, Billon, 60, blamed party officials for the handling of legal challenges to Thiam's candidacy and did not rule out the possibility of representing another party, though he said it was too early to make such a move. "I am asking for the PDCI's support," he said. "It's a shame that (PDCI) President Thiam was eliminated, but it was the result of the lack of preparation of certain party officials that led to his elimination. That's why you always have to have several strings to your bow, especially when you're in politics." The electoral commission published its final list of candidates last week, excluding Thiam, who denounced the decision as a sign of the "abandonment of democracy". Ivory Coast law states that candidates must be Ivorian citizens and cannot hold another nationality. Thiam renounced his French citizenship in February in order to meet eligibility conditions for the election. But a court in Ivory Coast ruled in April that Thiam should be removed from the electoral roll because he was a French national when he registered. Thiam told Reuters after that decision that he planned to fight on and run anyway. TENSE HISTORY The notion of Ivorian identity was at the heart of past violence in Ivory Coast, and some fear lingering questions over Thiam's nationality in the run-up to the vote risk pushing those tensions back to the surface. Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara himself was barred from seeking the presidency over what opponents said were his foreign origins before he finally won election in 2010. Ouattara, 83, has not said whether he will run again this year. Billon told Reuters that if elected he would endorse a law to lift restrictions on dual nationality. "You have thousands of Ivorians who live abroad, who have made their lives abroad, and who end up having dual nationality," he said. Billon also said he would trim the civil service, crack down on corruption, promote private sector investment and move more government offices to Yamoussoukro, the political capital. He said it was time for Ouattara and other politicians of his generation to leave the scene. "Ivory Coast will change. I think our elders have had their day," he said.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Ivory Coast former minister Billon seeks to lead opposition in October vote
Ivory Coast former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon looks on during an interview with Reuters in Abidjan, June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Luc Gnago Ivory Coast former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon holds a book after an interview with Reuters in Abidjan, June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Luc Gnago Ivory Coast former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon poses as he prepares for an interview with Reuters in Abidjan, June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Luc Gnago Ivory Coast former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon speaks during an interview with Reuters in Abidjan, June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Luc Gnago Ivory Coast former commerce minister Jean-Louis Billon speaks during an interview with Reuters in Abidjan, June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Luc Gnago ABIDJAN - Ivory Coast former trade minister Jean-Louis Billon said he is seeking to represent the opposition PDCI party in October's presidential election after former Credit Suisse chief Tidjane Thiam was excluded from the final list of candidates last week. The question of who will carry the mantle of the main opposition party risks adding to tensions in the world's top cocoa producer, which has a history of election-related violence including a brief civil war after the 2010 presidential contest that killed about 3,000 people. In an interview with Reuters in the commercial capital Abidjan, Billon, 60, blamed party officials for the handling of legal challenges to Thiam's candidacy and did not rule out the possibility of representing another party, though he said it was too early to make such a move. "I am asking for the PDCI's support," he said. "It's a shame that (PDCI) President Thiam was eliminated, but it was the result of the lack of preparation of certain party officials that led to his elimination. That's why you always have to have several strings to your bow, especially when you're in politics." The electoral commission published its final list of candidates last week, excluding Thiam, who denounced the decision as a sign of the "abandonment of democracy". Ivory Coast law states that candidates must be Ivorian citizens and cannot hold another nationality. Thiam renounced his French citizenship in February in order to meet eligibility conditions for the election. But a court in Ivory Coast ruled in April that Thiam should be removed from the electoral roll because he was a French national when he registered. Thiam told Reuters after that decision that he planned to fight on and run anyway. TENSE HISTORY The notion of Ivorian identity was at the heart of past violence in Ivory Coast, and some fear lingering questions over Thiam's nationality in the run-up to the vote risk pushing those tensions back to the surface. Incumbent President Alassane Ouattara himself was barred from seeking the presidency over what opponents said were his foreign origins before he finally won election in 2010. Ouattara, 83, has not said whether he will run again this year. Billon told Reuters that if elected he would endorse a law to lift restrictions on dual nationality. "You have thousands of Ivorians who live abroad, who have made their lives abroad, and who end up having dual nationality," he said. Billon also said he would trim the civil service, crack down on corruption, promote private sector investment and move more government offices to Yamoussoukro, the political capital. He said it was time for Ouattara and other politicians of his generation to leave the scene. "Ivory Coast will change. I think our elders have had their day," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Eater
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
A Pioneering African Fast-Casual Restaurant Shuts Down in Harlem
Teranga, an acclaimed African fast-casual restaurant founded by chef Pierre Thiam, is closing its original location inside the Africa Center in Harlem on Sunday, June 15, Time Out New York reports. The restaurant had been in operation for nearly six and a half years. 'It is with a sense of sadness and full hearts that we announce that we are closing our doors in Harlem on Sunday, June 15th,' the Teranga team said in a statement posted to Instagram. 'Thank you to everyone who shared a cup of Ethiopian coffee, a bottle of Bissap, a plate of hot Jollof and Suya, or a side of Kelewele with us.' Teranga, with its focus on putting ancient African grains like fonio front and center, was a big-deal opening back in early 2019. With his fine dining background, Thiam was best known for his work at places like the pan-African Nok by Alára in Lagos, and Brooklyn Sengalese spot Le Grand Dakar, which closed down in 2011. Shortly after Teranga's opening, former Eater NY critic Ryan Sutton hailed the bowl spot as an exciting harbinger of the future of fast-casual dining in NYC. The restaurant scooped up numerous accolades during its run, including a spot on a New York Times list of the 25 essential dishes in the city in 2021. The concept has been a precursor to other fine dining chefs remixing the lunch bowl, including Chinese spot Milu, run by Eleven Madison Park alum Connie Chung. Teranga's Midtown location at 601 Lexington Avenue (stationed inside food hall the Hugh) remains open, and, in the goodbye post, the team hinted at more Teranga locations opening in the future. It's not clear whether another restaurant will be taking Teranga's place at the Africa Center, which has been weathering its own shifts in leadership strategy. Eater has reached out to both Teranga and the Africa Center for more information on the closure. Sign up for our newsletter.
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
Cote d'Ivoire's President Ouattara Bans Opposition to Consolidate Power
Rabat – Cote d'Ivoire's young democratic journey is backsliding as the incumbent president looks to tighten his grip on a presidency he is no longer supposed to run for. In a move aimed at strengthening his position of power in the Ivorian political makeup, President Alassane Ouattara has banned the most influential presidential candidates from the 2025 election. President Ouattara originally came to power in 2010 after an election against then incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo turned into a civil war, which killed 3000 people. Ouattara changed the constitution in 2016 to allow himself to run for a third term in 2020, and Ivorians fear he will stand again for reelection in 2025. He has also been accused of gradually becoming increasingly autocratic throughout his presidency. A popular opposition figure, particularly among young voters, Tidjane Thiam of the Democratic and Peace Party had been rising quickly in the polls. In addition to being the nephew of the country's first President Houphouet-Boigny, Thiam is widely perceived as experienced and competent to run a country that often prides itself as the economic leader in Francophone West Africa. Disqualifying popular candidates Despite Thiam receiving overwhelming support within his party and his popularity among younger Ivorians, a court blocked his bid to become presidential candidate in April 2025. The court notably cast doubt on Thiam's Ivorian nationality, arguing that his holding of French citizenship made him unreliable as the future leader of a sovereign nation. Thiam has contested what he sees as a political trial, noting that he had renounced his French citizenship long before launching his bid to become president of Cote d'Ivoire. And this week, in a decision that has polarized the West African nation and sent it into crisis, the Independent Electoral Commission announced banning Tidjane Thiam from the electoral list. Even more controversially, the ban applies to three other candidates whose popularity and political influence could prove a headache for President Ouattara's camp in any election: former president Laurent Gbagbo, former youth leader and political organizer Charles Blé Goudé, and former Ouattara acolyte Guillaume Soro. A very dependent electoral commission In a telling sign of political intervention from the presidential camp, the Commission contentiously stated that this list is definitive and would not be revised under any circumstances prior to the October elections. Both independent observers and supporters of the banned presidential hopefuls have accused Ouattara of illegally disqualifying his most formidable opponents to centralize power. Once hailed in the West as the savior of Ivorian democracy, President Ouattara is now roundly denounced by his opponents and some of his former advocates in the Western press as a power-hungry agent of democratic backsliding in the West African nation. Thiam has called on the UN to oppose Ouattara's dictatorial project, arguing that the past few years have seen Cote d'Ivoire 'slide towards a total lack of democracy.' Other candidates are qualified to participate in the coming elections, however. These include former First Lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo and former Minister of Commerce Jean-Louis Billon. But neither of these candidates have the same popular support as Thiam and the other banned contenders. While it is not clear whether the media protestations of the banned candidates will bear any meaningful fruit on the actual political scene, one thing is for certain: this decision means that the October elections will be deeply divisive. Tags: Cote d'Ivoireivory coastOuattarapolitics
