Former Ivorian First Lady Simone Gbagbo has officially launched her presidential bid, marking a dramatic return to the political scene of Ivory Coast. Once wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, the 76-year-old “Iron Lady” is seeking to lead the West African nation in Saturday’s election, setting the stage for a new political chapter this time without her ex-husband, former President Laurent Gbagbo.
Simone Gbagbo rose to prominence during her husband’s turbulent presidency, which was marked by two civil wars from 2002 to 2007 and again following the disputed 2010 election. Her assertive influence within the administration earned her a reputation as one of the country’s most powerful political figures.
Laurent Gbagbo’s refusal to concede defeat to Ouattara in 2010 triggered a violent conflict that claimed about 3,000 lives. The couple was eventually arrested together in 2011 in Abidjan.
After their arrest, Laurent Gbagbo was transferred to the ICC in The Hague, while Simone was tried in Ivory Coast, receiving a 20-year prison sentence in 2015 for crimes against the state. She was later granted amnesty in 2018 by President Ouattara in a move aimed at easing political tensions.
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Following her 2021 divorce from Laurent Gbagbo, Simone charted her own political course, founding the Movement of Skilled Generations (MGC) in 2022. The party, she said, is rooted in social democratic principles and committed to rebuilding national unity.
Political analyst Arthur Banga believes Simone Gbagbo’s candidacy may not yield immediate success but positions her for a significant role in the country’s future politics. “She is positioning herself for the future,” he told Reuters, predicting that she could emerge as the leading opposition voice after the polls.
Simone Gbagbo’s campaign focuses on national reconciliation, promising a general amnesty for political and military detainees and the repatriation of exiles. She has also called for economic reforms, including the replacement of the CFA franc with a new regional currency to enhance monetary independence.
Her campaign has drawn support from Charles Blé Goudé, a former ally of Laurent Gbagbo who was acquitted by the ICC in 2019.
As Ivory Coast heads to the polls, Gbagbo’s candidacy is seen as symbolic a bid not only to reclaim political relevance but to champion reconciliation in a nation still healing from years of political and social division.
