This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-africa-16770305

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Senegal clashes as President Wade cleared to run for third term Senegal clashes erupt as court clears Wade poll bid
(about 4 hours 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. Violence has broken out in Senegal after the country's top court ruled that President Abdoulaye Wade can run for a third term in office next month.
Angered by the decision, protesters threw stones at riot police, who responded by firing tear gas. Protesters set fire to buildings and barricades in the capital Dakar.
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. A policeman was reported to have been killed during running battles between stone-throwing demonstrators and the security forces.
In its ruling, the court barred famous singer Youssou N'Dour from running. Mr Wade, 85, appeared on television to call for calm, describing the protests as "displays of petulance".
The president has already served two terms in office, but the constitution has been amended since he was last elected and he argued that the change did not apply retrospectively.
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 by the constitutional court, youths in the area around Place de l'Obelisque set fire to tyres and threw stones at riot police, who responded by firing tear gas.
The commissioner of Dakar police, Arona Sy, told AFP a policeman was killed in the clashes. Reports from the central town of Kaolack said the local headquarters of Mr Wade's party had been burned down.
The authorities said the protest would be tolerated in spite of an official ban on demonstrations. Unrest was also reported in Thies and Mbour, near Dakar.
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 authorities earlier said the protests would be tolerated in spite of an official ban on demonstrations.
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. Youssou N'Dour
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's statement, issued late on Friday, listed 14 candidates - including Mr Wade - as eligible to stand in the 26 February election.
The court ruled that Youssou N'Dour's candidacy was invalid because he had not gathered the required number of signatures. However the court barred Senegal's best known music star, Youssou N'Dour, from running saying many of the signatures he had gathered to support his candidacy could not be verified.
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 had announced earlier this month that he would stand.
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. "The people are fed up with career politicians who almost all enriched themselves with the state's money," he said at the time.
The list of candidates who can stand includes three former prime ministers, Idrissa Seck, Macky Sall and Moustapha Niasse as well as the main opposition leader Ousmane Tanor Dieng.
'Petulance'
Youths at Place de l'Obelisque told the 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.
Mr Wade insisted in his television appearance that the February poll would be fair.
"The electoral campaign will be open. There will be no restrictions on freedom," he said.
"Stop these displays of petulance which will lead to nothing," he told the protesters.
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.