Former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo has launched a new political initiative titled “Enough is Enough,” vowing to play an active role in the country’s presidential election despite being barred from standing as a candidate.
Addressing a gathering of party officials and activists at the African People’s Party headquarters in Abidjan on Saturday, the 79-year-old political veteran called on citizens facing hardship to rally behind the movement. Gbagbo framed the campaign as a platform for all Ivorians frustrated by soaring living costs and persistent poverty, despite years of economic growth under the current administration.
“We must unite all those who have something to lament,” Gbagbo said in a passionate speech. “Is life too expensive for you? We’ll open the doors to you. Enough is enough.”
Though Gbagbo remains a dominant political figure, a criminal conviction has rendered him ineligible to contest the presidency. Following the deadly 2010-2011 post-election crisis, which claimed around 3,000 lives, he was sentenced by an Ivorian court to 20 years in prison on charges of “looting” from the national banking system. As a result, he cannot legally seek office in the upcoming 2025 elections.
Still, Gbagbo made it clear that he will not remain silent as the country moves toward a crucial electoral season. His African People’s Party has now tasked its members with intensifying the “Enough is Enough” campaign nationwide, aiming to build a powerful coalition of dissatisfied citizens.
The movement, according to Gbagbo, is designed to put significant pressure on President Alassane Ouattara’s government, which, despite overseeing years of robust economic growth, continues to face accusations of neglecting widespread poverty and exacerbating a cost-of-living crisis.
While Ouattara’s administration often highlights macroeconomic achievements — including infrastructure development and strong GDP growth — critics point to the reality faced by many ordinary Ivorians, who struggle daily with inflation and stagnant wages.
Speculation is mounting over whether President Ouattara, now 83, intends to seek another term. So far, he has remained silent on his intentions, leaving the political scene tense and uncertain.
Adding to the drama, last week an Abidjan court ruled that Tidjane Thiam, seen as the ruling party’s most formidable challenger, is ineligible to run for president. Born in Ivory Coast but having obtained French nationality in 1987, Thiam renounced his French citizenship in March 2025 to comply with electoral requirements. However, the court ruled that because he registered as a French citizen in 2022, he effectively lost his Ivorian nationality and thus cannot stand for election. The decision is final and not subject to appeal, effectively ending Thiam’s presidential ambitions for this cycle.
This unexpected development has narrowed the field of potential challengers to Ouattara and created a growing sense of political frustration among segments of the population eager for change. Gbagbo’s “Enough is Enough” campaign seeks to capture and galvanize this dissatisfaction.
Although Gbagbo cannot personally run, political analysts suggest that his influence remains potent. His ability to mobilize grassroots support and his track record as a populist leader capable of challenging entrenched power structures could make the “Enough is Enough” campaign a significant force during the election period.
Gbagbo’s strategy appears focused not just on economic grievances, but also on broader discontent with the current political order. He seeks to frame the 2025 election as a battle between the establishment elite and ordinary Ivorians facing daily hardships.
“Our people are suffering in silence while others boast about growth numbers,” he said during Saturday’s meeting. “Enough is enough. It is time for real change, not promises.”
Gbagbo’s return to the political scene adds complexity to what was already expected to be a heated electoral cycle. Although barred from holding office, his voice and political capital could shift alliances, influence voter behavior, and even force the ruling party to recalibrate its strategy.
His “Enough is Enough” campaign comes at a time when many Ivorians, especially the youth, are demanding greater transparency, more job opportunities, and a leadership that prioritizes social welfare over economic statistics.
Observers note that Gbagbo’s message could resonate strongly with low-income populations feeling left behind by Ivory Coast’s celebrated economic progress. Whether this will translate into concrete political gains for his African People’s Party remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, the Ouattara administration is walking a tightrope — eager to maintain a narrative of stability and growth while navigating increasing political pressure at home and criticism abroad over democratic practices.
The coming months will reveal whether Gbagbo’s movement will merely serve as a voice of protest or evolve into a formidable political bloc capable of influencing the next government.
As the electoral landscape continues to shift, one thing is clear: Laurent Gbagbo may be legally barred from the presidential race, but he is far from absent from the national conversation.
