Ivory Coast opposition leader resigns but vows to still fight for victory

Tidjane Thiam was born in the Ivory Coast and renounced his French passport in March to enable his run for the top job [File: Luc Gnago/Reuters]

Ivory Coast’s main opposition leader has said he is resigning as party leader but would still lead the fight to win the election, after having been barred from standing in an October presidential vote.

“In the interest of the party, I’ve decided to place my mandate as president of the party in your hands, the activists,” Thiam said in a speech published on social media on Monday.