Once Democratic African Nation Sliding Backwards as Senegal Leader Moves Towards Full Dictatorship

Clashes erupt as Senegal’s Wade cleared for third term bid

Senegal Leader Moves Towards Dictatorial Rule

Clashes Erupt In Senegal As Court Clears President’s Bid For Third Term

1/28/2012 6:58 AM ET
Senegal witnessed clashes erupt across the country as the top court said Friday that President Abdoulaye Wade could run for a third term in next month’s election.

Protesters took to streets in the capital Dakar and local media reports said Saturday that a policeman was killed in the unrest. They set fire to barricades and buildings.

The African country’s Constitutional Council ruled on Friday that the 85-year old Wade could run in the February 26 election. Senegal’s constitution states a two-term limit on the president.

Wade, who first came to power in 2000 and was re-elected in 2007, contests the term-limit. He argues that the rule does not apply to him as he was elected prior to the revision to the constitution in 2001.

The five-judge Constitutional Council also cleared 13 others bidding for the president post, but rejected the candidacy of the music icon Youssou Ndour. The court disqualified him saying that thousands of the signatures in his support could not be verified. A candidate requires a minimum 10,000 signatures.

by RTT Staff Writer

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