Violence Breaks Out at Protest Against Senegal's President
February 19, 2012
VOA News
The western African nation of Senegal was the scene of more protests Sunday against plans by President Abdoulaye Wade to seek a third term in office in an election one week away.
Police in the capital Dakar fired tear gas and rubber bullets against rock-throwing demonstrators. Several injuries were reported.
The protests began late last month after Senegal's highest legal body validated Wade's candidacy. At least five people have died in street clashes across the city since then.
The opposition, led by the M23 movement, says Wade is ineligible to appear on the ballot due to the constitution's two-term presidential limit. But the court ruled the limit does not apply to him since Wade was already in office when it took effect.
The United States and France have urged Wade, who is 85, to surrender power to make way for a younger generation.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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