KEY POINTS
- Former minister Albert Mabri Toikeusse seeks the PDCI’s presidential nomination, challenging former banker Tidjane Thiam.
- Both contenders aim to represent the PDCI in Ivory Coast’s 2025 election, signaling heightened political competition.
- The PDCI faces internal choices on leadership as it seeks a comeback in national politics
Albert Mabri Toikeusse, a former minister and a prominent political personality of Ivory Coast has declared his intention to contest for the presidency of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI). His nomination means a fierce battle with Tidjane Thiam, a former international banker and another favorite in the party.
The two contenders are vying for a chance to lead the PDCI in the 2025 presidential election, thus deepening the internal contest in one of Ivory Coast’s most powerful opposition parties.
Toikeusse’s bid and the PDCI’S road map to 2025
Toikeusse, who has previously worked in the ministerial capacity and has been the minister of planning and development, announced his candidature for the PDCI’s nomination.
Toikeusse has been presenting himself as a political veteran with connections within the PDCI that will help the party to win the elections. His entry into the race can be seen as an effort to bring back the PDCI to power after many years in the opposition in Ivory Coast.
Reuters reported that Toikeusse stated his willingness to rally the party supporters and work on the country’s issues with practical solutions. His announcement has already created some attention from the party supporters who are willing to see the PDCI rise again to balance the ruling government.
Tidjane Thiam: a powerful contender
Tidjane Thiam, Toikeusse’s main rival for the PDCI nomination, has served as the chief executive of Credit Suisse and has had other senior positions in global finance. His candidacy is new and different, and Thiam’s supporters saw his international experience as a positive that could help Ivory Coast’s economy and diplomacy.
Thiam, who came back to the Ivorian politics after years in exile, has been popular among the young voters and those who are seeking change within the PDCI.
Thiam’s economic background has made him a competent technocrat and this makes the relationship between him and Toikeusse, who has grounded political experience in the country.
The rivalry embodied in these two characters means that PDCI is torn between the influence of foreign experience and domestic political leadership as they strategise for 2025.
Challenges and prospects of the PDCI
This is the case of the PDCI as it gets ready to choose its candidate in the forthcoming elections that will lead the party to the presidency. Political party leaders are aware that cooperation and coalition will be crucial in the forthcoming election since the political environment is likely to get more competitive.
The party’s ultimate standard bearer will have to be a candidate who can mobilize the masses and present a vision that speaks to the country’s growth and development as well as social and political transformation.
The result of the PDCI’s nomination process could determine the future of politics in Ivory Coast since each of the candidates has his strengths. While Toikeusse has governmental experience that fits the traditional party values, Thiam may bring a new vision to the PDCI.
While both contenders are ready to start campaigning, the choice of the PDCI will define its position on the issue of leadership and its approach to winning votes of the Ivorian electorate.
