LAURENT GBAGBO

Laurent Gbagbo was born on May 31, 1945, in Gagnoa, which was part of the French West Africa territory at the time. He hailed from the Bété people and was raised in a Roman Catholic family. Gbagbo's early career was rooted in academia; he became a history professor and was known for his vocal opposition to the regime of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, which led to his imprisonment from 1971 to 1973. Despite the challenges, he pursued his education and earned a doctorate from Paris Diderot University in 1979. Upon returning to Côte d'Ivoire, he served as the Director of the Institute of History, Art, and African Archeology at the University of Abidjan. His involvement in a teachers' strike in 1982 forced him into exile in France, but it also marked the beginning of his deeper involvement in politics.

Gbagbo founded the Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) during his exile, and after returning to Côte d'Ivoire in 1988, he was elected as the party's Secretary-General. With the advent of multiparty politics in 1990, he emerged as a key opposition figure, challenging Houphouët-Boigny in the presidential election that year. Although he lost, his efforts laid the groundwork for his political career. He won a seat in the National Assembly and led the FPI's parliamentary group, though his activism also led to a brief imprisonment in 1992.

The turning point in Gbagbo's political journey came after the 1999 coup, which set the stage for the 2000 presidential election. With key political figures barred from running, Gbagbo became the primary opposition candidate. When General Robert Guéï attempted to claim victory despite Gbagbo's clear win, massive protests erupted, forcing Guéï to flee and allowing Gbagbo to assume the presidency.

Gbagbo's presidency was marked by significant turmoil. His time in office saw violent clashes between political factions, a failed coup attempt, and a civil war that split the country in two. The 2002 rebellion by northern rebels led to a de facto division of Côte d'Ivoire, with the north under rebel control and the south loyal to Gbagbo. A series of peace agreements and international interventions only partially stabilized the situation, with tensions remaining high throughout his presidency.

The 2010 presidential election was a crucial moment in Gbagbo's career. Although initially declared the loser in the runoff against Alassane Ouattara, Gbagbo refused to concede, leading to a protracted and bloody conflict. International bodies, including the United Nations, recognized Ouattara as the legitimate president, but Gbagbo's resistance resulted in a violent standoff. In April 2011, Gbagbo was captured by forces loyal to Ouattara, with support from French and UN troops, and was subsequently handed over to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

At the ICC, Gbagbo faced charges of crimes against humanity, but after a lengthy trial, he was acquitted in 2019. His acquittal was upheld in 2021, allowing him to return to Côte d'Ivoire. Undeterred by his past challenges, Gbagbo re-entered the political arena by founding a new party, the African People's Party – Côte d'Ivoire (PPA-CI). In March 2024, he announced his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election, marking yet another chapter in his long and tumultuous political career.

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurent_Gbagbo