Ivory Coast: Laurent Gbagbo files for divorce from Simone Ehivet Gbagbo

Laurent Gbagbo and Simone Gbagbo in 2005. AFP - KAMBOU SIA

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Laurent Gbagbo files for divorce.

According to a press release signed by one of his lawyers, the former Ivorian president seized a judge in matrimonial matters on Monday, June 21, 2021. According to him, the consequence "of the reiterated refusal for years by Dame Simone Ehivet to consent to a separation at amicable ”.

Laurent and Simone Gbagbo got married in 1989. She helped found the FPI.

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With our correspondent in Abidjan

,

Pierre Pinto

Laurent Gbagbo officially asks for a divorce.

In a concise statement, one of his lawyers announces that the former president seized a judge after the refusal of his wife Simone Ehivet Gbagbo of an amicable separation. 

Claude Menneton, one of Laurent Gbagbo's lawyers, indicates in this two-sentence press release, to seize a judge in matrimonial matters of a request for divorce.

In question according to the text " 

the reiterated refusal of Dame Simone Ehivet to consent to an amicable separation, moreover by way of settlement appropriate to their personal statutes and reciprocal policy

".

This press release confirms what has been rumored for months and that images captured by mobile phones leaving Laurent Gbagbo's plane on Thursday, June 17 revealed in broad daylight.

We see the former president dismissing his wife with an uninviting gesture of the hand. 

Laurent Gbagbo married Simone Ehivet in 1989. Seven years earlier, this early activist was part, in hiding, of the founders of the Ivorian Popular Front.

From 2000, when Laurent Gbagbo acceded to the supreme office, Simone Gbagbo was a very political first lady, a woman of power and influence, which earned her the nickname of "iron lady". 

It was also at this time that Laurent Gbagbo married Nady Bamba according to customary rites.

It was on the latter's arm that Laurent Gbagbo returned to Côte d'Ivoire last Thursday. 

Simone Gbagbo is still 2nd Vice-President of FPI GOR.

On the death of First Vice-President Aboudramane Sangaré at the end of 2018, Laurent Gbagbo refused to take over the interim of the party, showing for the first time the political dissensions within the couple. 

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• Ivory Coast

• Laurent Gbagbo

• Simone gbagbo