Ivory Coast’s Simone Gbagbo: From First Lady to Fearless Presidential Challenger
In a defining moment for Ivory Coast’s political landscape, Simone Gbagbo — once one of the most controversial figures in West African politics — is running for president this Saturday. Once branded the “Iron Lady” of Ivorian politics and even wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, Gbagbo’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and defiance.
Now 76, Simone Gbagbo is stepping into the political arena without her ex-husband, former President Laurent Gbagbo. She stands as the most prominent challenger to incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, who is expected to secure a fourth term. But her campaign is about much more than winning — it’s about reclaiming her place in the nation’s political narrative.
From Arrest to Reinvention
Simone’s past is marred by one of the country’s darkest chapters. When Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat in 2010, Ivory Coast spiraled into conflict, costing around 3,000 lives. The Gbagbos were arrested together at their Abidjan residence — a moment that ended an era and began another.
After her release and subsequent amnesty in 2018, Simone took a path few expected: she founded her own political party, the Movement of Skilled Generations (MGC), grounded in social democratic principles and focused on rebuilding a divided nation.
“She may not win this election,” noted historian Arthur Banga, “but she’s setting the stage for the future. Simone Gbagbo could soon become the most influential opposition leader in Ivory Coast.”
A Lifetime of Defiance and Leadership
Simone’s roots in activism stretch back to the 1970s, when she opposed one-party rule under Felix Houphouet-Boigny. In the 1980s, she co-founded the Ivorian Popular Front with Laurent Gbagbo, whom she later married. By 1995, she was a member of the National Assembly — a rare feat for women in Ivorian politics at that time.
Despite imprisonment and years in political exile, Simone Gbagbo has maintained her belief in justice, national unity, and the empowerment of women and youth. Her 20-year sentence for “crimes against the state” didn’t silence her spirit; instead, it reshaped her mission.
A Call for Reconciliation and True Independence
Today, Simone Gbagbo’s campaign centers on healing. She advocates for a national reconciliation program that combines justice with forgiveness — promising amnesty for political prisoners and the safe return of exiles.
She also calls for monetary independence, pushing for the replacement of the euro-pegged CFA franc with a subregional currency to give Ivory Coast “true economic freedom.” Her vision aligns with countries in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), such as Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, that are redefining sovereignty in West Africa.
Her endorsement from Charles Blé Goudé, a former ally of her ex-husband and ICC acquittee, has given her movement new momentum. “Simone Gbagbo has proven she’s a pragmatic leader — strong, experienced, and ready to shape the next political era,” Banga emphasized.