MWE Correspondent
The former first lady of Ivory Coast, , Simone Gbagbo, is staging a remarkable political comeback. Once one of the most powerful and controversial women in West Africa, she is now running for president in Saturday’s general election, stepping into the political spotlight without her ex-husband, former President Laurent Gbagbo.
Nicknamed the “Iron Lady” for her fierce political style, Simone Gbagbo is among the few opposition figures cleared to challenge incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, who is widely expected to secure a fourth term. Her candidacy marks a new chapter in a life intertwined with the country’s turbulent political history.
During her husband’s rule, Simone was a commanding presence in Ivorian politics. She was often described as the power behind the throne — admired by supporters for her resolve but criticized by opponents who accused her of fueling political tensions. Ivory Coast endured two civil wars between 2002 and 2007, and again after the disputed 2010 election, which left about 3,000 people dead.
In 2011, Simone and Laurent Gbagbo were arrested together at their residence in Abidjan after he refused to concede defeat to Ouattara. She was later convicted of undermining state security and sentenced to 20 years in prison. The International Criminal Court (ICC) also sought her extradition for crimes against humanity, but she was eventually granted amnesty and released in 2018.
Since her release, Simone has sought to reinvent herself. In 2022, she founded the Movement of Skilled Generations, a political party she describes as rooted in social democracy and focused on reconciliation, youth empowerment, and good governance.
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“People have seen me in difficult times, and they know I don’t give up,” she said recently during a campaign rally in Abidjan. “I am ready to rebuild our country with compassion and courage.”
Political observers say Simone’s chances of winning are slim, given her party’s limited reach and Ouattara’s strong incumbency. However, her entry into the race could redefine the political opposition in Ivory Coast. Historian and analyst Arthur Banga told Reuters that while victory may be unlikely, “Simone Gbagbo is positioning herself for the future — to fill the political void left by Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam, whose candidacies were rejected.”
Her renewed visibility could help rally former supporters of the Ivorian Popular Front, her ex-husband’s old party, and reshape the opposition landscape.
For many Ivorians, Simone’s candidacy symbolizes both the persistence of old political rivalries and the possibility of renewal in a nation still healing from decades of political unrest.
