Tidjane Thiam’s campaign has ceased because presidential candidates are not allowed to have dual nationality.

The main opposition leader of the Ivory Coast said he would resign as the party leader but would still lead the struggle to win the election after being banned from participating in the presidential vote in October.

“For the sake of the party, I decided to take my task as the party president into your hands,” Thiam said in a speech on social media on Monday.

“This decision has not changed my commitment to the victory of our party in December 2023.”

President Alassane Ouattara, 83, has been in power since 2011 and has not said whether he intends to run again, but has said he is eager to “continue to serve my country.”

Tidjane Thiam’s campaign for West African countries to hold presidency is in trouble due to his nationality as presidential candidates are not allowed to have dual citizenship.

Thiam was born on the Ivory Coast and waived his French passport in March, allowing him to run for the highest position. But a court of Abidjan beat him last month to the election list, saying the 62-year-old politician lost his Ivoria nationality when he obtained French citizenship in 1987.

Thiam also faces legal cases against his election to the Democratic Rally of the Ivory Coast (PDCI), after a party member was elected to compete with his Iverian nationality.

PDCI Vice President Ernest N’Koumo Mobio served as interim leader of the party after Thiam’s announcement. He called for “cohesion, tranquility and discipline” and held a party meeting because of “urgency related to the political situation.”

Three other opposition figures were also ruled out in the presidential campaign, including former President Laurent Gbagbo, due to a court conviction.

Thiam charged a violation on Monday. “While we have the right to want to participate in inclusive, transparent and peaceful elections, it is clear that the unreasonable removal of PDCI candidates is part of the logic of eliminating the main opposition leaders to ensure tailored elections and certain victory,” he said.

Authorities often reject any claim of political intervention in the election process, saying the decision was made by an independent judiciary.