Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, former First Lady of Ivory Coast and ex-wife of former President Laurent Gbagbo, has officially announced her candidacy for the country’s 2025 presidential election. Representing the Movement of Capable Generations (MGC), she was nominated during the party’s congress in her hometown of Moossou, near Abidjan.
In her acceptance speech, Gbagbo emphasized her commitment to national reconciliation, industrialization, and food sovereignty. Her vision includes transforming Ivory Coast into a “modernized and prosperous” nation, essential to a stronger and more independent Africa.
Often referred to as the “Iron Lady,” Gbagbo’s political career spans decades. She co-founded the Popular Ivorian Front (FPI) alongside her former husband in 1982 to oppose the regime of Félix Houphouët-Boigny. The couple divorced in 2023 after 34 years of marriage and political activism.
Gbagbo’s return to politics marks a significant development in the race, with other contenders, including Pascal Affi N’Guessan and former trade minister Jean-Louis Billon, also vying for the presidency. Current President Alassane Ouattara has not yet announced if he will seek re-election.
