African first ladies who were neck-deep in their husband’s affairs and got into trouble

Simone Gbagbo

Commonly referred to as the “Iron Lady”, Simone Gbagbo is the wife of the exiled former President of Ivory Coast Laurent Gbagbo. She served as the Ivorian First Lady between 2000 and 2011. The 68-year-old politician is said to have been involved in the nationalist politics that led to the infamous Ivorian Civil War in 2002.

In 2015, Simone was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in the post-election violence that followed after the disputed presidential election in 2010. She had been charged with undermining state security. Her husband is still on trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

On August 6, it was announced that Simone will be granted an amnesty by current President, Alassane Ouattara.

In his address, the President explained, “On Monday I signed an amnesty order that will benefit about 800 citizens prosecuted or sentenced for offences related to the post-election crisis of 2010 or state security offences committed after May 21, 2011.”

He went on to say, “Around 500 of those named have already been released provisionally from detention, he added. They will have their criminal records erased.” “The other 300 will be released “soon.”

Simone was imprisoned since 2016.