Simone Gbagbo, the former first lady of Ivory Coast, has declared her candidacy for the nation’s 2025 presidential election. Known as the “Iron Lady,” Gbagbo aims to bring modernization and prosperity to the West African nation.
“I have agreed to be a candidate in the presidential election of October 2025,” Gbagbo, 75, announced during the inaugural convention of her political movement, the Movement of the Capable Generations, held in Moossou, near Abidjan. She vowed to transform the Ivory Coast into a prosperous and modern country, emphasizing unity and resilience.
Gbagbo, the ex-wife of former President Laurent Gbagbo, gained prominence during the country’s turbulent political history. Laurent Gbagbo was the first former head of state to be tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. He was acquitted in 2019. Their divorce was finalized in 2023 after Laurent Gbagbo requested it following his return to Abidjan in 2021.
Simone Gbagbo was arrested in 2011 during the political crisis following Laurent Gbagbo’s refusal to concede defeat in the 2010 presidential election. The conflict left over 3,000 people dead. In 2015, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for undermining state security but was granted amnesty in 2018 as part of a national reconciliation effort.
Gbagbo’s entry into the 2025 race adds another layer of competition to an already crowded field. Other contenders include former Prime Minister Pascal Affi N’Guessan and ex-Trade Minister Jean-Louis Billon. Laurent Gbagbo is ineligible to run due to a 20-year jail sentence related to bank looting charges.
Simone Gbagbo’s campaign seeks to position her as a leader capable of fostering development and elevating the Ivory Coast on the global stage. She emphasized her vision for a transformed Africa that is “developed, equipped, indispensable, strong, and respected by all.”
The 2025 election is expected to be a pivotal moment for the Ivory Coast, with significant implications for its political landscape and regional influence.
