In Ivorian political circles, no one is truly surprised. Jean-Louis Billon, former Minister of Commerce and head of Sifca, Côte d'Ivoire’s largest private group, has officially announced his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election. However, he still has a crucial step to take.
At a rally in Dabakala, his hometown, Jean-Louis Billon, 59, announced his candidacy for the Ivorian presidency, revealing that this political ambition has been a long-held dream of over fifteen years. "I’m running to win. In 2025, Côte d'Ivoire has a date with destiny, and I will be there," he confidently declared. Billon sees the election as a "decisive turning point" for his party, the PDCI-RDA, stressing the importance of being "up to the challenge of this historic moment."
The newly declared candidate, however, will need to win over PDCI supporters at a convention whose date is yet to be set, where he will face competition from Tidjane Thiam. Thiam, who leads the PDCI, was already selected as the party’s candidate during a congress in December 2023. While Billon has his supporters, Thiam has a significant advantage, having been elected as party president after Billon chose not to contest that election.
Sources within the PDCI acknowledge that there are tensions and that some members may back Billon, particularly those dissatisfied with Thiam. However, the majority currently seems to favor the incumbent president.
Billon maintains positive relations with key political figures, including President Alassane Ouattara and opposition leader Laurent Gbagbo; he was even present at the airport to welcome Gbagbo upon his return in 2021.
In addition to his political career, Billon is a successful businessman. He led Sifca from 2001 to 2012 and has held various local elected positions, including mayor of Dabakala since 2001 and president of the Hambol Regional Council since 2013. His political journey was marked by a suspension in 2017 after he criticized the leadership of the Rassemblement des Républicains (RDR), the party of President Ouattara.
He now positions himself as a critic of the current PDCI leadership, denouncing what he perceives as "inertia" in the party’s direction. Despite his criticism, he insists he has no personal issues with Thiam but believes that Thiam lacks the experience to effectively lead the party.
Billon also received support from former President Henri Konan Bédié, who had previously encouraged him to withdraw from the 2020 presidential race so that Bédié himself could run. Although he did not participate in the PDCI's internal elections in December, Billon argues that his strategy aims to separate the party presidency from the presidential candidacy, seeking to modernize the PDCI’s functioning.
He remains cautious about how the convention will be organized, warning that he may reconsider his stance on an independent candidacy if the process is perceived as irregular.
Billon cautions that any improper practices could have negative repercussions for the party, emphasizing the need for transparency and integrity in the electoral process.