Feb.2nd (GIN) – Thousands of Senegalese filled the streets of the capital city Dakar this week to express their outrage at a recent court ruling giving the aging president, Abdoulaye Wade, the right to seek a third 7-year term.
Feb.2nd (GIN) – Thousands of Senegalese filled the streets of the capital city Dakar this week to express their outrage at a recent court ruling giving the aging president, Abdoulaye Wade, the right to seek a third 7-year term.
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Police fired tear gas and water cannons Tuesday to disperse crowds mostly of young people. As night fell, protestors reportedly threw stones at police and burned tires.
Witnesses and officials say a 30-year-old student died after being run over by a truck during the protests. Police deny the incident involved a police vehicle.
At least four people have been killed since Friday's court ruling.
President Wade brushed off the protest calling it a "light breeze, not a hurricane."
He also refered to it as "a temper tantrum."
Senegal's constitution limits a president to two terms. However, President Wade maintains that it does not apply to him because it became law after he was elected.
All the leaders of the opposition attended Tuesday's rally, as well as former candidate Youssou N’Dour, whose qualifying signatures were ruled insufficient. As the demonstration got going, the leaders of M23, who organized the event, told people to sit on the floor to express their wish for peace.
As they sat down, they sang: "the old man is dead…” and "We have had enough. We are taking notice. Society is moving. We respect our Senegal."
The crowds held their arms in the air, clapping before crossing their fists in the air to indicate that Wade should put an end to his presidency.
Speaking to a reporter, protestor Aliou Thoum said: “I am even asking myself what country I am in. It is a country where peace has reigned.. . It is time for (Wade) to go.” Elections are scheduled for Feb. 26.
Meanwhile, the anger expressed by masses of young and unemployed school graduates led some analysts to predict that Senegal was ripe for an "African Spring" if the opposition succeeded in mobilizing.
"The entire world and indeed former leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya grossly underestimated the power of citizen action... The same attitude from President Wade may just turn out to be his greatest undoing," said Johannesburg-based analyst David Kode, speaking to the Agence France Press.
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