Simone Gbagbo, Ivory Coast’s former first lady and a once-prominent figure on the International Criminal Court’s wanted list, is making a political comeback this time on her own terms. The 76-year-old, often referred to as the “Iron Lady,” is running for president in Saturday’s election, stepping into the spotlight independently of her ex-husband, former President Laurent Gbagbo.
Gbagbo is the most notable challenger approved to run against incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, who is widely expected to secure a fourth term. Her candidacy marks a significant moment in Ivorian politics, reflecting both her resilience and her bid to reshape her political legacy.
From Detention to a New Political Beginning
Simone Gbagbo’s career has been defined by both influence and controversy. As a key political force during her husband’s presidency, she played a central role in the country’s turbulent years between 2002 and 2007, and again following the disputed 2010 elections that plunged Ivory Coast into civil conflict.
The Gbagbos’ refusal to concede defeat in 2010 resulted in clashes that claimed around 3,000 lives. The couple was arrested together in 2011 at their residence in Abidjan. Laurent Gbagbo was later transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, while Simone faced trial at home and, in 2015, received a 20-year prison sentence for crimes against the state.
In 2018, President Ouattara granted her amnesty, a move seen as a gesture toward national reconciliation. A few years later, following her divorce from Laurent Gbagbo in 2021, Simone launched her own political vehicle the Movement of Skilled Generations (MGC) emphasizing social democratic values and national unity.
Building a New Political Identity
While analysts do not expect Gbagbo to win this year’s election due to her party’s limited reach, her campaign is widely viewed as a strategic step toward establishing herself as a central opposition figure.
“Simone Gbagbo is positioning herself for the future,” said Arthur Banga, a historian and political analyst. “With Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam excluded from the race, she stands to become the de facto leader of the opposition.”
A Long Legacy of Opposition Politics
Simone Gbagbo’s political journey began in the 1970s as a trade unionist challenging the one-party rule of founding President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. In the 1980s, she co-founded the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) alongside Laurent Gbagbo and other opposition figures, later winning a parliamentary seat in 1995. Her influence grew during her husband’s presidency, where she was both a political strategist and a polarizing figure.
A Platform for Reconciliation and Sovereignty
Gbagbo’s current campaign centers on national reconciliation and social justice. Her manifesto proposes a broad amnesty for political and military prisoners and the repatriation of exiles as part of a national healing process.
She has also championed economic independence, advocating for the replacement of the euro-pegged CFA franc with a regional currency to promote “true monetary autonomy.” Additionally, she has expressed support for closer ties with the Alliance of Sahel States Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger whose governments have recently distanced themselves from traditional Western alliances.
Looking Beyond 2025
Simone Gbagbo’s campaign has gained notable endorsements, including support from Charles Blé Goudé, a former ally of her ex-husband who was acquitted by the ICC in 2019.
“Simone Gbagbo has proven herself a pragmatic and committed leader,” said Banga. “Her participation strengthens her legitimacy and ensures her continued relevance in Ivorian politics especially as President Ouattara, now 83, nears the end of his political journey.”
As Ivory Coast heads to the polls, Gbagbo’s candidacy represents more than a political contest; it signals the re-emergence of a formidable figure seeking to redefine her place in the nation’s evolving political landscape.
