Côte d’Ivoire: mothers’ day celebrations and Gbagbo’s birthday dominate headlines

Abidjan, 1 June 2026 — The celebration of Mothers’ Day in Aboisso has taken center stage in the country’s newspapers today. The event drew former First Ladies Henriette Bédié and Simone Gbagbo alongside current First Lady Dominique Ouattara, marking a rare public display of unity among the nation’s most prominent political figures.

The gathering in Aboisso was highlighted as a symbolic moment, with headlines emphasizing the significance of the meeting. Notre Voie described it as “reunions of First Ladies in Aboisso: a beautiful example,” while L’Inter framed it as a powerful message of unity with the headline “Henriette Bédié and Simone Gbagbo stand with Dominique Ouattara in Aboisso.” Meanwhile, Le Matin praised the trio for embodying social cohesion, stating that “Mrs. Ouattara, Bédié, and Gbagbo elevate the spirit of togetherness.”

First Ladies unite in Aboisso

Le Patriote featured remarks from the First Lady, Dominique Ouattara, who addressed the crowd with a powerful message: “You are the quiet builders of our society.” The newspaper also paid tribute to Henriette Bédié and Simone Gbagbo, acknowledging their contributions. L’Expression mirrored the sentiment with a front-page headline reading “Dominique Ouattara, Henriette Bédié, and Simone Gbagbo celebrate together,” followed by an in-depth look at how these influential women were honored.

Laurent Gbagbo’s 81st birthday draws attention

Another major topic dominating the press is the 81st birthday of former President Laurent Gbagbo. Several publications marked the occasion with dedicated coverage. Le Temps announced his milestone with the headline “President Laurent Gbagbo blows out 81 candles,” while L’Avenir reflected on his decades-long political journey under the title “81 years, 40 years in politics—Laurent Gbagbo, a resilient figure.”

Notre Voie also paid tribute, describing him as “the extraordinary survivor of Ivorian politics” upon celebrating his birthday on 31 May 2026.

Political and economic developments round out the news

Beyond these highlights, Le Nouveau Réveil covered the 80th anniversary celebrations of the PDCI-RDA party, noting a strong turnout in the eastern region for party leader Thiam. Meanwhile, L’Expression focused on institutional matters, with a front-page headline declaring the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) the “official supplier of prime ministers,” sparking discussions on economic governance.

In a critical tone, L’Essor addressed public frustrations, questioning the actions of several government officials with the headline “Why TBO, Anne Oulotto, and Dimba are causing concern.”