Renowned Ivorian-French financier Tidjane Thiam clinched a resounding victory on Friday, securing the leadership of the primary opposition Democratic Party of Ivory Coast. This triumph positions him as a formidable contender for the upcoming 2025 presidential election.
Thiam, the former helmsman of the banking giant Credit Suisse, emerged triumphant with a commanding 96.5 percent of the vote, overshadowing his opponent Jean-Marc Yace, the mayor of an economic hub commune in Abidjan, who garnered a modest 3.2 percent. The results, disclosed late Friday, underscored Thiam's overwhelming support.
In a gracious acceptance, Thiam expressed, "It is with great humility that I accept the responsibility you have chosen to entrust to me."
The party congress in the capital, Yamoussoukro, witnessed the participation of over 6,000 delegates, solidifying Thiam's status as the favored candidate, backed by a significant majority of the party's legislators.
This leadership shift for the Democratic Party (PDCI) holds strategic importance as it endeavors to revitalize its image, especially following the passing of former leader Henri Konan Bedie in August at the age of 89. Once the sole legal party in Ivory Coast, the PDCI governed for decades post-independence in 1960 but lost its grip after a 1999 coup.
At 61, Thiam emerges as a relatively youthful political figure in the West African nation, marking his return after more than two decades abroad. The party's emphasis on youth and a fresh perspective is evident in its aspirations for rejuvenation.
Interim party president Philippe Cowppli-Bony, at 91, emphasized, "Our new president will have to put us back in working order. He will have to give more responsibilities to the young people of the party." The sentiment resonated with Ohoueu Assi, a congressman from Guiglo, who remarked, "We have been treated too much as a party of old people. It's positive to see two young candidates; it's nice."
Looking ahead, the Democratic Party aims to reclaim power in the next two years, with an additional proposition to throw its weight behind Thiam's candidacy for the 2025 presidential race. The dynamics of Ivorian politics seem poised for an intriguing chapter under Thiam's leadership.