Simone Ehivet, the ex-wife of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, has officially declared her candidacy for the 2025 presidential election in Ivory Coast. Ehivet secured the nomination of her party, the Movement of Capable Generations (MGC), during a congress held in her hometown of Moossou.
In her acceptance speech, Ehivet outlined a platform centered on national reconciliation, amnesty, food sovereignty, and industrialization. She emphasized the need to heal the divisions that have long plagued Ivory Coast, advocating for policies that unite the nation and promote sustainable development.
“We must rebuild a nation where justice and reconciliation walk hand in hand,” she declared, highlighting her vision for a prosperous and cohesive Ivory Coast.
Ehivet’s entry into the presidential race marks a significant milestone in a political career spanning decades. A former teacher and trade unionist, she began her activism in the 1970s. Alongside Laurent Gbagbo, she co-founded the Popular Ivorian Front (FPI) in 1982 to challenge the autocratic rule of Felix Houphouet-Boigny.
Her career has been defined by resilience and determination, even amid personal and political turmoil. After her divorce from Gbagbo in 2023, following 34 years of marriage and activism, Ehivet emerged as a strong, independent political force with a vision for change.
Ehivet’s candidacy adds to an already competitive race. Pascal Affi N’Guessan, who assumed leadership of the FPI during Gbagbo’s detention at The Hague for war crimes, is also vying for the presidency. This rivalry underscores the fragmented political landscape in Ivory Coast, with multiple candidates vying to shape the nation’s future.
As the 2025 presidential election approaches, Simone Ehivet’s campaign is expected to focus on her extensive experience, her commitment to social justice, and her vision for national unity. Her candidacy symbolizes a new chapter in Ivorian politics, with the potential to reshape the country’s political and social trajectory.
Whether her message of reconciliation and progress resonates with voters remains to be seen, but Ehivet’s entry into the race is undeniably a significant moment in Ivory Coast’s political history.
