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    February 19, 2012

Violence Breaks Out at Protest Against Senegal's President

   VOA News
   A police officer fires tear gas at close range directly into a group of
   anti-government protesters sheltering behind a kiosk, on a central
   boulevard in Dakar, Senegal, February18, 2012.
   Photo: AP
   A police officer fires tear gas at close range directly into a group of
   anti-government protesters sheltering behind a kiosk, on a central
   boulevard in Dakar, Senegal, February18, 2012.

   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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