Simone Gbagbo Launches Presidential Bid in Ivory Coast Election

Simone Ehivet Gbagbo is making a surprising return to the political arena in Ivory Coast, aiming for the presidency in the upcoming election on March 2, 2024. The 76-year-old, once the first lady and a figure of considerable influence, is contesting under the banner of the Movement of Skilled Generations party. She faces a challenging race against four other candidates, including the incumbent president, Alassane Ouattara, who is vying for a fourth term.

During a recent campaign stop in Guibéroua, Gbagbo expressed her belief that Ivory Coast is ready for its first female president. “I think this idea of a female president is much less shocking than it was 20 years ago,” she told the Associated Press. Gbagbo emphasized the importance of female leadership, stating, “It’s good for a woman to run, and not just because it’s me. But if it’s me, then so much the better.”

As the wife of former president Laurent Gbagbo, Simone was deeply entangled in the nation’s tumultuous political history. Her tenure as first lady was marked by controversy, as she played a significant role in her husband’s government during a period of civil unrest and electoral strife. The Gbagbos were at the center of a political crisis that led to thousands of deaths, particularly following the 2010 election, where Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat to Ouattara.

The couple’s eventual arrest in 2011 followed a violent standoff that saw them holed up in a bunker within the presidential mansion in Abidjan. Laurent Gbagbo faced charges from the International Criminal Court for his role in the violence, while Simone was initially wanted on similar charges. Although her arrest warrant was lifted in 2021, Simone Gbagbo had previously served a 20-year prison sentence for charges including “undermining state security.” She returned to political life after receiving amnesty in 2018.

Gbagbo’s candidacy comes at a time when political opposition in Ivory Coast is perceived as weak, especially after electoral authorities disqualified several prominent rivals of Ouattara, including former Credit Suisse chief executive Tidjane Thiam. Analysts suggest that Gbagbo’s political history may be crucial to her campaign, as she seeks to capitalize on her long-standing involvement in Ivorian politics, which dates back to her activism in the 1970s.

Throughout her career, Simone Gbagbo has faced allegations regarding her complicity in her husband’s administration, particularly during the violent political crisis of 2010-2011. Despite these claims, she has consistently denied involvement in any wrongdoing. Her campaign focuses on social welfare initiatives to address poverty and inequality, issues that resonate strongly with the electorate.

Gbagbo has also raised concerns about the current political climate, citing increasing tensions and a crackdown on opposition voices. “Ivorians are angry and frustrated, and rightly so,” she stated, urging citizens to vote en masse to express their discontent with the current administration.

As the election approaches, the outcome remains uncertain. Gbagbo’s bid for the presidency will be closely watched, both as a potential milestone for female leadership in a country that has never had a female president and as a reflection of the evolving political landscape in Ivory Coast.