Laurent Gbagbo: Presidential Candidate Profile for Ivory Coast 2010 Election

Presidential Candidate 2010 Laurent Gbagbo

Laurent Koudou GBAGBO
Also known as « LG »
(born 31 May 1945) 65 years old

Website: www.gbagbo.ci
Contact: lr.gbagbo@gmail.com

Representing the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front) as part of the LMP (The Presidential Majority – 14 united political parties supporting Gbagbo’s policies) in 2010 Presidential Elections in the Ivory Coast.

Statement
(French version: http://www.gbagbo.ci/gbagbo_documents.asp?view=1269.html&titre=PRESIDENTIELLE_2009_-_LAURENT_GBAGBO_:_)

I am a candidate because I have a project of development and modernization for our country. I want to make the social reforms that I have initiated successful. You know my ambitions for the Ivory Coast. I have expressed these throughout my political career. A man must stand by his word. A man who is a man, who takes responsibility with determination in his actions, must act; and act according to what he has decided. I have nothing but honour. And I try to live and fight without hate. I strive to live and fight without harm.

That is why I walk, and go further and further forever!
Forward! Come election!

Laurent Gbagbo

(Translation by Sara Atteby)

Work History

2000 – Now: President of the Republic of the Ivory Coast (Sworn in 26^th October 2000)

1996 – 2000: President of the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front)

1988 – 1996: Secretary General of the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front)

1982 – 1988: Voluntary exile in France

1980 – 1982: Director of the IHAAA

1974 – 1980: Researcher at the Institute of African History, Art and Archeology (IHAAA) at the University of Abidjan

Mar. 1971 – Jan. 1973: Arrested for leading demonstrations and imprisoned in Séguéla and Bouaké military camps

1970: Teacher of Geographic History at Lycée Classique in Abidjan

Education
1979: University of Paris VII – Denis Diderot PHD
1969: University of Abidjan Bachelor of History

Family
Currently married to Simone Ehivet GBAGBO: Holds a PhD in Oral Literature and is Vice President of the FPI (Ivorian Popular Front), Member of Parliament of ABOBO and General Secretary of CNRD (National Congress of the Resistance for Democracy). She has two children from a previous marriage.

First wife: Jaqueline Chanoos, with whom he had two children, Koudou Michel and Gado Lea.

Together, Laurent and Simone Gbagbo also had two children, Gado Marie-Patrice, Popo Marie-Laurence.

Religion
Roman Catholic, his wife Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, is an Evangelical Christian.

Representation in the Diaspora:
United Kingdom: JFPI-UK