{"id":446415,"date":"2011-06-23T18:52:05","date_gmt":"2011-06-23T18:52:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/06\/23\/senegal-riots-prompt-wade-u-turn\/"},"modified":"2011-06-23T18:52:05","modified_gmt":"2011-06-23T18:52:05","slug":"senegal-riots-prompt-wade-u-turn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/06\/23\/senegal-riots-prompt-wade-u-turn\/","title":{"rendered":"Senegal riots prompt Wade U-turn"},"content":{"rendered":"

23 June 2011<\/span> Last updated at<\/span> 14:52 ET<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n
\n
\"Dakar<\/p>\n

Please turn on JavaScript.<\/strong> Media requires JavaScript to play.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

The police eventually managed to restore order<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Senegal’s president has dropped proposed changes to the country’s constitution after police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of protesters outside Dakar’s parliament.<\/p>\n

Abdoulaye Wade had wanted to reduce the proportion of votes needed to win a presidential election, and avoid a run-off, from more than 50% to 25%.<\/p>\n

He had also wanted to create an elected post of vice-president.<\/p>\n

The proposals sparked the most violent protests of Mr Wade’s 11-year rule.<\/p>\n

Critics had said the run-off amendment was designed to ensure that Mr Wade, 85, was re-elected next year against a fractured opposition.<\/p>\n

He dropped that element of the proposed bill earlier on Thursday, but withdrew plans to create the position of vice-president after clashes continued outside parliament, Justice Minister Cheikh Tidiane Sy told MPs.<\/p>\n

The president had taken into consideration MPs’ concerns, AFP quoted Mr Sy as saying, adding to applause that: “He asked me to withdraw the draft legislation”.<\/p>\n

‘Father’s shoulders’<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier on Thursday, clouds of tear gas hovered over the square in front of the National Assembly, where lawmakers had gathered to vote on the proposed changes to the constitution.<\/p>\n

The city centre was cut off as protesters set fire to vehicles and threw stones at riot police.<\/p>\n

Local reports said some ruling party MPs had been blockaded in their houses to prevent them voting.<\/p>\n

There were also violent protests elsewhere in the city and in other towns in Senegal.<\/p>\n

Many people feared Mr Wade intended to give the post of vice-president to his son Karim, who is already a powerful minister in the current administration, said BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy.<\/p>\n

Critics of the proposed measures said Mr Wade could have then stepped down and handed power to his son.<\/p>\n

“We’re not against Karim Wade,” said protesting student Assane Ndiaye.<\/p>\n

“Karim can be a candidate like any other, but he shouldn’t be carried into office on his father’s shoulders.”<\/p>\n

The government had said the proposed new post was aimed at reinforcing democracy by sharing power between the president and vice-president.<\/p>\n

Riot police also clashed with protesters earlier this week.<\/p>\n

The opposition had established a coalition called “Don’t Touch My Constitution”, while world-famous singer Youssou Ndour criticised the “abuse of authority”.<\/p>\n

Mr Wade first came to power in democratic polls more than a decade ago but he is now facing growing anger at daily electricity cuts and the rising cost of living.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n

Read more here:
\nSenegal riots prompt Wade U-turn<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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