Surprise as Ivory Coast's ex-first lady cleared to contest presidency

Ivory Coast's former first lady, Simone Gbagbo, has been cleared to contest the upcoming presidential election, surprising many. Gbagbo, who was previously convicted of crimes against humanity, had her conviction overturned, paving the way for her to run against the incumbent President, Alassane Ouattara. Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term in office, has faced criticism for his decision to run again, as the constitution limits presidents to two terms. However, Ouattara argues that a constitutional change in 2016 reset the term limit, allowing him to run for a third term. The upcoming election is seen as a crucial test for Ivory Coast's democracy, with the two candidates representing different political factions and ideologies. The decision to allow Gbagbo to run has added an unexpected twist to the race, and the outcome could have significant implications for the country's political landscape.