Ivory Coast's former First Lady Simone Gbagbo, 76, is the surprise inclusion in a list of five candidates who have been officially cleared to contest next month's presidential election. She will run against President Alassane Ouattara, 83, who took power after she and her former husband, Laurent Gbagbo, were captured in a presidential bunker during the conflict that hit the country after the 2010 election. However, the ex-president has been barred from contesting the poll, along with ex-Prime Minister Pascal Affi N'Guessan and ex-Credit Suisse bank CEO Tidjane Thiam.
Their disqualification has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the 25 October vote and has sparked fears of instability. Thiam, who was disqualified by the Constitutional Council due to his previous French citizenship, called the decision an act of democratic vandalism and accused the Ouattara administration of orchestrating a sham election to cling to power.
Ouattara assumed the presidency in 2011, following Laurent Gbagbo's arrest after his refusal to accept defeat in the 2010 election. Originally limited to two terms, a 2016 constitutional overhaul allowed him to seek re-election in 2020, which was boycotted by the opposition. After winning, at least 85 people were killed in ensuing unrest, and he later announced his intention to run for a fourth term. Laurent Gbagbo has been barred by the Constitutional Council from running for president due to a criminal conviction in 2018.
Simone Gbagbo's candidacy is not only politically significant but symbolically powerful in a country where women are largely underrepresented in national leadership. Only 30% of Ivorian parliamentarians are women, and few have held senior roles in government. Once nicknamed The Iron Lady, Simone Gbagbo is now poised to become the strongest female contender for the presidency in Ivory Coast's history.
She and ex-minister Henriette Lagou Adjoua are among only two women whose candidacies were approved by the Constitutional Council. With a long career in politics, including serving as an MP, her past has been marred by the violence that ensued after the 2010 elections, leading to multiple convictions.
In recent years, Simone has rebuilt her political base and now campaigns on the slogan to build a new nation within a prosperous Africa. Local analysts have noted her candidacy as a significant step towards greater female representation in Ivorian politics.
The election on October 25 comes amid fears of public unrest and growing doubts regarding the democratic processes of Ivory Coast. As citizens look ahead to the campaign, all eyes will be on whether Simone Gbagbo can reshape the narrative and potentially secure the presidency.
Their disqualification has raised concerns about the legitimacy of the 25 October vote and has sparked fears of instability. Thiam, who was disqualified by the Constitutional Council due to his previous French citizenship, called the decision an act of democratic vandalism and accused the Ouattara administration of orchestrating a sham election to cling to power.
Ouattara assumed the presidency in 2011, following Laurent Gbagbo's arrest after his refusal to accept defeat in the 2010 election. Originally limited to two terms, a 2016 constitutional overhaul allowed him to seek re-election in 2020, which was boycotted by the opposition. After winning, at least 85 people were killed in ensuing unrest, and he later announced his intention to run for a fourth term. Laurent Gbagbo has been barred by the Constitutional Council from running for president due to a criminal conviction in 2018.
Simone Gbagbo's candidacy is not only politically significant but symbolically powerful in a country where women are largely underrepresented in national leadership. Only 30% of Ivorian parliamentarians are women, and few have held senior roles in government. Once nicknamed The Iron Lady, Simone Gbagbo is now poised to become the strongest female contender for the presidency in Ivory Coast's history.
She and ex-minister Henriette Lagou Adjoua are among only two women whose candidacies were approved by the Constitutional Council. With a long career in politics, including serving as an MP, her past has been marred by the violence that ensued after the 2010 elections, leading to multiple convictions.
In recent years, Simone has rebuilt her political base and now campaigns on the slogan to build a new nation within a prosperous Africa. Local analysts have noted her candidacy as a significant step towards greater female representation in Ivorian politics.
The election on October 25 comes amid fears of public unrest and growing doubts regarding the democratic processes of Ivory Coast. As citizens look ahead to the campaign, all eyes will be on whether Simone Gbagbo can reshape the narrative and potentially secure the presidency.
