Abidjan, Ivory Coast – The Constitutional Council of Ivory Coast has cleared Simone Gbagbo, the 76-year-old former first lady once known as “The Iron Lady,” to contest next month’s presidential election.
Her unexpected comeback comes just days after her ex-husband, former President Laurent Gbagbo, and other high-profile opposition figures were barred from the ballot. Out of 60 applicants, only five candidates were validated, including incumbent President Alassane Ouattara, 83, who is running for a controversial fourth term.
Simone Gbagbo’s return to frontline politics marks one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Ivorian history.
She was once at the heart of the country’s darkest chapter. As first lady between 2000 and 2011, Simone played an influential role in her husband’s regime.
When Laurent Gbagbo refused to step down after losing the 2010 election to Ouattara, Ivory Coast plunged into a bloody civil war that left more than 3,000 people dead.
In 2015, an Ivorian court sentenced her to 20 years in prison for her role in the post-election violence. Yet in 2018, President Ouattara granted her amnesty in the name of national reconciliation.
Unlike her ex-husband, whose criminal record permanently bars him from public office, Simone retained her civic rights.
After divorcing Laurent in 2023, she quietly built her own political movement. Today, she stands not only as the most controversial figure on the ballot but also as the only woman with a real shot at the presidency. Her campaign slogan: “Build a new nation.”
Ivory Coast has never had a female president. With women making up just 30% of parliament, Simone’s candidacy challenges deeply entrenched gender barriers. For many young Ivorians, she represents a possibility that has long felt out of reach.
Her critics, however, see a dangerous return. Families of war victims still demand accountability. The International Criminal Court dropped crimes against humanity charges against her in 2021, but scars from the 2010-2011 conflict remain raw.
The disqualification of powerful rivals, including former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam, has fueled anger across the opposition. Thiam dismissed the election as a sham and an act of democratic vandalism. With Laurent Gbagbo sidelined, Simone’s presence reshapes the race, offering voters an alternative voice to Ouattara’s dominance.
Elections in Ivory Coast rarely pass without turbulence. The 2010-2011 crisis scarred the nation, and more recently, Ouattara’s third-term bid in 2020 triggered unrest that killed 85 people.
This year, 8.7 million registered voters are set to head to the polls amid warnings from civil society and international observers about transparency and fairness. Ouattara insists his candidacy is constitutional, citing a 2016 reform that reset term limits. Opposition leaders argue the country is sliding into authoritarianism.
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