LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- 1
Simone aka Iron Lady who seeks to make better the affairs of her country told members of her party, Movement of the Capable Generations, during their first convention in Abidjan, that she had agreed to run for president in the coming October elections in Ivory Coast.
Simone, now 75 years old added, “Because I deeply believe that every Ivorian, whatever their condition, is capable, if they really want to, of transcending all kinds of hardship in order to dream, to create, to build and to succeed,”
“I would like to make you a bold offer: that of building an Ivory Coast that is totally transformed, modernised and prosperous, in an Africa that is free of complexes, developed, equipped, indispensable, strong and respected by all.”
Simone Gbagbo is the ex-wife of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo. In 2010, after Ivory Coast’s Presidential elections, Laurent refused to hand over to his opposition Alassane Ouattara, which eventually led to a bloody crisis that left about 3,000 people dead.
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Simone and Laurent both got arrested in April 2011 but Laurent, stood before the International Criminal Court (ICC), and became the first former head of state to stand trial for crimes against humanity. However, he was acquitted by the tribunal in The Hague.
In 2015, Simone Gbagbo faced charges of undermining state security and received a 20-year jail sentence, but she got saved in 2018, by an amnesty law on the grounds of national reconciliation.
Former Ivorian President, Laurent Gbagbo, for his role in the looting of a bank is unqualified to run against his estranged wife for president.
Notwithstanding, Simone, will run against Former Prime Minister, Pascal Affi N’Guessan and Ex-Trade Minister, Jean-Louis Billon who have both stated their plans to run for presidency.
Alassane Ouattara, who has been Ivory Coast’s President since 2010 is yet to indicate if he will seek a fourth term.
Vanguard
