The former managing director of Credit Suisse, also a former planning minister, arrived in Abidjan on Monday. He was received by Alassane Ouattara upon his arrival, but the vagueness remains almost total on this interview.
From this meeting, nothing or almost nothing filtered. The local press says that Tidjane Thiam was received in audience for about an hour by Alassane Ouattara at his residence in Abidjan-Cocody-Riviera. Also according to the Ivorian press, his brothers were present, the governor of Yamoussoukro Augustin Thiam and the Minister of Transport Aziz Thiam. No statement was made after the meeting. Tidjane Thiam then set off for Yamoussoukro, the family stronghold.
“ We are delighted to be able to welcome him in a warm and fraternal way. “Said a statement from the ex-banker’s own spokesman a few days ago. Also according to this document, his agenda mainly includes family and private activities with, in addition, some meetings with personalities. Without further details.
Tidjan Thiam returns to the country after more than 20 years of absence. In 1999, Minister of Planning, he left Côte d’Ivoire after the coup that overthrew President Henri Konan Bédié. He made a career in banking and insurance. At the head of Credit Suisse, he resigned, when a case broke out in the company linked to spinning mills of former employees.
Observers of Ivorian political life lend him political ambitions. Last December, questioned on this subject on our antennas, Tidjane Thiam invited us to ask him the question again in 2025.