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| Senegal clashes as President Wade cleared to run for third term | Senegal clashes as President Wade cleared to run for third term |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Clashes have erupted in Senegal's capital Dakar, after the top court said President Abdoulaye Wade could run for a third term in next month's poll. | Clashes have erupted in Senegal's capital Dakar, after the top court said President Abdoulaye Wade could run for a third term in next month's poll. |
| Angered by the decision, protesters threw stones at riot police, who responded by firing tear gas. | Angered by the decision, protesters threw stones at riot police, who responded by firing tear gas. |
| Mr Wade, 85, has already served two terms. But the constitution was amended since he was last elected, and he has argued the law is not retroactive. | Mr Wade, 85, has already served two terms. But the constitution was amended since he was last elected, and he has argued the law is not retroactive. |
| In its ruling, the court barred famous singer Youssou N'Dour from running. | In its ruling, the court barred famous singer Youssou N'Dour from running. |
| The opposition had earlier warned it would hold street protests if Mr Wade's candidacy was approved, and crowds had gathered in central Dakar to await the ruling. | The opposition had earlier warned it would hold street protests if Mr Wade's candidacy was approved, and crowds had gathered in central Dakar to await the ruling. |
| After the decision came through, youths in the area around Place de l'Obelisque set fire to tyres and engaged in running battles with police. | After the decision came through, youths in the area around Place de l'Obelisque set fire to tyres and engaged in running battles with police. |
| The commissioner of Dakar police, Arona Sy, told AFP a policeman was killed in the clashes. | |
| The authorities said the protest would be tolerated in spite of an official ban on demonstrations. | The authorities said the protest would be tolerated in spite of an official ban on demonstrations. |
| The constitutional court's statement, issued late on Friday, listed 14 candidates - including Mr Wade - as eligible to stand in the 26 February election. | The constitutional court's statement, issued late on Friday, listed 14 candidates - including Mr Wade - as eligible to stand in the 26 February election. |
| Mr Wade - who came to power in 2000 and was re-elected in 2007 - has insisted that as his first term pre-dated the 2001 constitutional change establishing the two-term limit he is not affected by it. | Mr Wade - who came to power in 2000 and was re-elected in 2007 - has insisted that as his first term pre-dated the 2001 constitutional change establishing the two-term limit he is not affected by it. |
| As well as Mr Wade, the list of candidates includes Idrissa Seck, Macky Sall and Moustapha Niasse and the main opposition leader Ousmane Tanor Dieng, according to AFP news agency. | As well as Mr Wade, the list of candidates includes Idrissa Seck, Macky Sall and Moustapha Niasse and the main opposition leader Ousmane Tanor Dieng, according to AFP news agency. |
| The court ruled that Youssou N'Dour's candidacy was invalid because he had not gathered the required number of signatures. | The court ruled that Youssou N'Dour's candidacy was invalid because he had not gathered the required number of signatures. |
| The Grammy award-winning musician announced he would stand earlier this month, saying "the people are fed up with career politicians who almost all enriched themselves with the state's money". | The Grammy award-winning musician announced he would stand earlier this month, saying "the people are fed up with career politicians who almost all enriched themselves with the state's money". |
| Youths at Place de l'Obelisque told Associated Press that they planned to turn the square into the equivalent of Egypt's Tahrir Square if Mr Wade's candidacy was allowed to go ahead. | Youths at Place de l'Obelisque told Associated Press that they planned to turn the square into the equivalent of Egypt's Tahrir Square if Mr Wade's candidacy was allowed to go ahead. |
| Senegal is seen as one of the most democratic and stable countries in West Africa - it is the only country in the region never to have experienced a military coup. | Senegal is seen as one of the most democratic and stable countries in West Africa - it is the only country in the region never to have experienced a military coup. |
| However, tension is rising ahead of the election and one prominent politician has been charged with murder. | However, tension is rising ahead of the election and one prominent politician has been charged with murder. |