Poll ruling sparks protest in Senegal
Violence on the streets of Senegal's capital, Dakar.
Protesters were outraged when a court allowed President Abdoulaye Wade to run for a third term in next month's elections.
The protesters were hurling rocks at police, who retaliated with tear gas and water cannons.
This group of protesters were overturning a car to make a roadblock.
Burning tyres littered the streets.
The opposition says the constitution only sets a limit of two terms for a president. But the 85-year-old Wade said his first term pre-dated the constitutional amendment.
The protesters were also angry that musician Youssou N'Dour was not allowed to run for president, on account that he did not manage to get 10,000 signatures to back his candidacy. The Constitutional council ruled that 4,000 of the 12,000 he collected were unidentifiable.
The judges of the Council were all appointed by the president.
(SOUNDBITE) DAKAR RESIDENT, EMMANUEL CAMARA, SAYING (French):
"They should expect it to be worse than the June 23 protest, because starting from tomorrow onwards, our youth - what we call our youth forces - will position themselves here in the street. It's unacceptable."
Wade's critics say he is seeking a new seven-year term so he can hand over power to his son.
The elections in February are seen as a major test for Senegal, viewed as one of the most peaceful states in West Africa.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
Protesters were outraged when a court allowed President Abdoulaye Wade to run for a third term in next month's elections.
The protesters were hurling rocks at police, who retaliated with tear gas and water cannons.
This group of protesters were overturning a car to make a roadblock.
Burning tyres littered the streets.
The opposition says the constitution only sets a limit of two terms for a president. But the 85-year-old Wade said his first term pre-dated the constitutional amendment.
The protesters were also angry that musician Youssou N'Dour was not allowed to run for president, on account that he did not manage to get 10,000 signatures to back his candidacy. The Constitutional council ruled that 4,000 of the 12,000 he collected were unidentifiable.
The judges of the Council were all appointed by the president.
(SOUNDBITE) DAKAR RESIDENT, EMMANUEL CAMARA, SAYING (French):
"They should expect it to be worse than the June 23 protest, because starting from tomorrow onwards, our youth - what we call our youth forces - will position themselves here in the street. It's unacceptable."
Wade's critics say he is seeking a new seven-year term so he can hand over power to his son.
The elections in February are seen as a major test for Senegal, viewed as one of the most peaceful states in West Africa.
Michaela Cabrera, Reuters.
28-01-2012
