The Rise of Simone Gbagbo: Ivory Coast's Iron Lady Eyes the Presidency

Sat Sep 13 2025 06:46:37 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Simone Gbagbo, the controversial former First Lady of Ivory Coast, transitions from a life in hiding to a strong presidential candidate. Her journey reflects the complexities of political power and gender dynamics in the nation's turbulent past.

Simone Gbagbo, once the iron lady of Ivory Coast's political sphere, is making a remarkable comeback as a candidate for the presidency. With a history intertwined with former President Laurent Gbagbo, her journey has seen her evolve from a powerful figure behind the scenes to a directly contested political leader. As she launches her campaign, the implications for gender representation and political dynamics in Ivory Coast remain significant.

Former Ivory Coast First Lady Simone Gbagbo has gone from hiding in a bunker in an attempt to avoid arrest to defiantly announcing she will run for president.

In an extraordinary comeback, the controversial 76-year-old was this week surprisingly allowed to contest October's elections, calling on supporters to help build a new nation.

For years, Gbagbo worked side-by-side with her ex-husband Laurent, and was considered to be the power behind his throne. Now, with a criminal conviction and a divorce behind her, she takes centre stage as a presidential candidate in her own right.

Gbagbo was Ivory Coast's first lady from 2000 to 2011 and was dubbed the iron lady due to her reputation for toughness.

While her supporters fondly called her maman (French for mum), Gbagbo was feared within the party she set up with her husband, the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI).

Gbagbo met Laurent in 1973, at a time when both were powerful figures in Ivory Coast's trade union movement. The couple's relationship was also built on the struggle against then-president Félix Houphouët-Boigny, leading to their eventual political activism.

In a significant turn of events, Gbagbo was granted an amnesty by President Ouattara after serving time for her role in the civil turmoil following the 2010 elections, reopening her path to political power.

As she prepares for the elections, Gbagbo emphasizes a vision for a modernized Ivory Coast and positions herself as a strong contender against current President Ouattara, potentially changing the political landscape for women in the country.

If successful, Gbagbo would not only reclaim her place in power but could also make history as Ivory Coast's first female president, highlighting the ongoing challenges of political representation in a nation grappling with its past.