The president of the Pan-African Congress for Justice and Equality of Peoples (COJEP), Charles Blé Goudé, toured the villages of Bouboury (in the Dabou district) and Krafi (Jacqueville) over the weekend as part of the electoral campaign of former First Lady Simone Ehivet Gbagbo, candidate in the 2025 presidential election.

Welcomed in a festive atmosphere filled with songs, dances, and applause, the former Youth Minister was received by Nanan Simone, chief of the village of Bouboury, before addressing the large crowd that had gathered to hear his message of peace and unity.

During his visit, Blé Goudé expressed his deep appreciation to the Adjoukrou and Avikam communities for their warmth and prayers during his detention in The Hague.

“I came so that we can continue the struggle together—but not to repeat the mistakes of the past. We must never again take up arms to seize power. I am a man of integrity, and I walk straight,” he declared.

He emphasized the importance of peaceful change through electoral participation:

“You want change? Then let’s go and achieve it without a single drop of blood being shed. The best way to bring about change is to go and vote against the one you no longer want in power,” he urged.

On behalf of the Movement of Capable Generations (MGC) candidate, Blé Goudé officially called on the population to support Simone Gbagbo.

“I came to entrust you with Simone Gbagbo’s candidacy. If she stood tall yesterday, she will stand tall again today,” he proclaimed.

While calling for civic responsibility, he also warned against calls for voter abstention:

“Anyone who tells the people not to vote is against Côte d’Ivoire. Before criticizing, think carefully. Simone Gbagbo has done you no harm,” he added.

Continuing his speech, the COJEP leader highlighted strategy and popular mobilization as the keys to victory.

“It’s not just strength that wins a battle, but strategy. One must know how to use the opponent’s strength to achieve victory,” he advised.

To illustrate his point, Blé Goudé cited examples of mayors such as Jean-Marc Yacé, Ehouo Jacques, Dr. Emmou Sylvestre, and Assalé Tiémoko, who, according to him, won their municipal elections thanks to popular determination.

He also reminded the audience that nearly five million voters abstained in the last elections, calling for massive participation in 2025.

At the end of the ceremony, a collective of village elders presented Charles Blé Goudé with a symbolic gift—a traditional cloth and a token sum—as a gesture of acceptance and blessing for the success of his mission.