Violent clash at Senegal protest against Wade bid
Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:50 GMT
DAKAR, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Rock-throwing protesters clashed on Tuesday with Senegalese security forces who fired tear gas as thousands gathered in Dakar to protest against President Abdoulaye Wade's decision to seek a third term in the Feb. 26 presidential election.
A Reuters reporter at the scene saw running battles between protesters who threw rocks and police who retaliated with tear gas and truncheons.
The protesters and opposition leaders under the umbrella activist organisation M23 had gathered in central Dakar to put pressure on Wade, 85, to reconsider his controversial decision.
The country's top legal body, the Constitutional Council whose five judges were appointed by Wade, ruled on Sunday that he had the right to run.
The United States said on Monday that Wade's decision could endanger the country's record of democracy and stability.
Senegalese private television station TFM showed images of protesters hurling rocks while the police fired tear gas to disperse them.
"Wade leave now. The people are fed up," TFM showed the crowd chanting. The television station is owned by world music star Youssou N'Dour, whose presidential bid was rejected by the Constitutional Council. (Reporting by Joe Penney, Diadie Ba and George Fominyen; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Tim Pearce)
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