Despite being ineligible to run for president, Laurent Gbagbo is actively participating in the upcoming election through his campaign titled ‘Enough is Enough’.
This initiative is designed to highlight the struggles faced by the nation’s oppressed citizens. During a recent meeting of his African People’s Party in Abidjan, Gbagbo urged his supporters to rally behind the campaign, emphasizing the need for unity among those who are dissatisfied with their current circumstances.
He invited anyone feeling the burden of high living costs to join the movement, declaring, ‘Enough is enough.’
At 79 years old, Gbagbo, who previously governed Ivory Coast from 2000 to 2011, has expressed a desire to return to the presidency, but a criminal conviction prevents him from doing so.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the violent post-election crisis of 2010-2011, which resulted in approximately 3,000 fatalities.
The ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign seeks to challenge President Alassane Ouattara, whose administration, while noted for significant economic growth, has also faced criticism due to persistent poverty and a rising cost of living.
Ouattara has not publicly addressed his political future, leading to speculation about his intentions for a new term.
Recently, an Abidjan court disqualified Tidjane Thiam, viewed as a strong contender from the ruling party, from the electoral roll, citing the loss of his Ivorian nationality after he registered in 2022.
This ruling is final and eliminates any possibility of his candidacy. Thiam, who was born in Ivory Coast, had acquired French citizenship in 1987 but renounced it in March to pursue the presidency, as dual nationality is not permitted for presidential candidates in the country.
