Marie-Elise Gbèdo

Marie-Elise Akouavi Gbèdo (born 29 December 1954) is a Beninese politician who has run for president four times. She served as Minister of Justice of Benin from 2012 to 2013.

Marie-Elise Akouavi Gbèdo
Minister of Justice of Benin
In office
2012–2013
Minister of Commerce of Benin
In office
May 1998 – June 1999
Personal details
Born29 December 1954
Mankono, French West Africa
Political partyIndependent
Alma materSorbonne University
ProfessionLawyer, writer

Biography

Marie-Elise Gbèdo was born on 29 December 1954 in Mankono, in today's Ivory Coast.[1] She was educated in Benin at the primary and secondary level, then went to France to continue her studies at the Sorbonne University. She earned a license and a master's degree in law, and in 1983 she obtained a Master in Business Law. The certificate of fitness as a lawyer (CAPA) was granted to her the following year. She joined the Paris Bar in 1985 and worked for several law firms.[1][2] In 1987, on her return to Benin, Gbedo became the fifth woman to be called to the bar in her country. The lawyer opened her own office two years later.[1][3] She championed the rights of women and chaired the Association of Women Lawyers of Benin (AFJB).[2] Gbedo encouraged women to pursue university studied and lamented the lack of female administrators in Benin.[1]

In March 1998, she was shot five times after leaving her office by six gunmen. Her seven-year-old son was hit by a bullet as well. Four of the attackers were sentenced to 15 years hard labor, with one being acquitted.[4]

Political career

In May 1998 she was appointed Minister of Commerce, Crafts, and Tourism by President Mathieu Kérékou. She was dismissed from that position in June 1999 after attempting to resolve a scandal pertaining to business deal between the nationalized petroleum company SONACOP and a private firm. Afterwards, she became a vocal critic of the government, making her determined to end business as usual. She frequently appeared on national television and radio criticizing the Kerekou administration.[5]

In February 2001, she announced her candidacy for the March 2001 presidential election, becoming the country's first female presidential candidate and the first in West Africa.[6] In doing so, Gbèdo, a mother of two, faced some conservative attitudes. In particular, she received disapproval because she was divorced. Reportedly she received more disapproval from women than men, although she had the backing of some women's groups such as Dignite Feminine. Running as an independent, she adopted the slogan "Hwenusu" ( "The time has come" in the Fon language).[5] She said and said it's time that women engage in politics and exercise power. Her candidacy also focused on the fight against corruption.[2][7] In the election, she took 11th place with 0.36% of the vote.[8]

In November 2005, she wrote the book "Le destin du roseau" (The Reed of Destiny), containing autobiographical interviews and essays on her vision of Benin's development and that of Africa in general.[1] Running again in the March 2006 presidential election, Gbedo was followed by filmmaker Sanvi Panou, who created a documentary film called The Amazon candidate. Another woman, Celestine Zanou, was among the 26 candidates.[7] Gbedo took 16th place with 0.33% of the vote.[8]

She ran for president in the March 2011 presidential election. After Thomas Boni Yayi was declared victorious, she opted to back him despite opposition figures challenging the results.[2] As a result, he named her Minister of Justice in 2012.[9] Gbèdo served until 2013 and was replaced by a woman, Reckya Madougou.[10] She unsuccessfully contested the March 2016 presidential election.[11] Her platform was based on providing reliable electricity and combating youth unemployment.[12]

Awards

The title of Commander of the National Order of Benin was awarded to Marie-Elise Gbèdo in 2000. She is also a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor.[2][9]

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References
  1. "Marie Elise-Gbédo se présente sous le signe de la parité". Agence panafricaine de presse (in French). 26 January 2006. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  2. Emmanuel Kwaku Akyeampong; Henry Louis Gates (2012). Dictionary of African Biography. 6. Oxford University Press. pp. 437–438. ISBN 9780195382075.
  3. Ulrich Vital Ahotondji (5 February 2011). "Marie Elise Gbèdo, symbole de persévérance". Inter Press Service (in French). Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  4. "Présidentielle au Benin : Marie-Elise Gbèdo, une femme dans la mêlée". Jeune Afrique (in French). 26 February 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  5. Boko, Michee (22 February 2001). "First female presidential candidate in Benin". IPS (afrol News). Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  6. Mathurin C. Houngnikpo; Samuel Decalo (2013). Historical Dictionary of Benin. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 183. ISBN 9780810871717.
  7. Michée Boko (24 February 2006). "Deux amazones à la conquête du pouvoir d'Etat". Inter Press Service (in French). Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  8. "Elections in Benin". African Elections Database. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  9. "Biographie d'Akuavi Marie-Elise Christiana Gbèdo". Ministère de la Justice, de la Législation et des Droits de l'Homme (in French). Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  10. Gretchen Bauer; Josephine Dawuni (2015). Gender and the Judiciary in Africa: From Obscurity to Parity?. Routledge. ISBN 1317516486.
  11. Par Yao Hervé Kingbêwé (3 November 2013). "Présidentielle 2016 : Le rêve de Marie-Elise Gbèdo enfin concrétisé". La Nouvelle Tribune (in French). Retrieved 21 October 2016.
  12. "Benin Election: Female candidate makes fourth attempt at presidency". Africa News. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2016.
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