An anti-government demonstrator throws rocks at the police during a protest against Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade in the capital Dakar Jan. 31, 2012. 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.
The West African nation goes to the polls Feb. 26 to elect a president in a contest already overshadowed by violence. Ailing leader Abdoulaye Wade is bidding for a third term, despite introducing a two-term limit after he swept to power in 2000. He argues, simply, the law does not apply to him. A court validated the move Jan. 31, sparking violent protests which left one dead, the Associated Press reports. Wade, 85, is increasingly unpopular and faces “a barrage of criticism,” including flack for giving his son Karim a host of government portfolios, according to the BBC. Last year he attempted to reduce the 25% threshold needed to win the first round of the election, but eventually abandoned the idea following unprecedented riots. Reuters says 13 rivals are competing for the office. World music star Youssou N’Dour will not be among them; on Jan. 27 Senegal’s top legal body ruled he did not have the required 10,000 signatures of support.