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/news/world-africa-19407427

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Abolish Senegal Senate to fund flood relief, says Sall Abolish Senegal Senate to fund flood relief, says Sall
(about 2 hours later)
 
Senegal's President Macky Sall has called for the country's Senate to be abolished, with the money saved going to pay for flood relief.Senegal's President Macky Sall has called for the country's Senate to be abolished, with the money saved going to pay for flood relief.
He had cut short a visit to South Africa to deal with the severe floods, which have claimed at least 13 lives.He had cut short a visit to South Africa to deal with the severe floods, which have claimed at least 13 lives.
Speaking at Dakar's airport, he said he would introduce an emergency bill to abolish the upper house.Speaking at Dakar's airport, he said he would introduce an emergency bill to abolish the upper house.
The money reserved for the Senate, more than 12m euros (£9.5m; $15m), would go towards preventing further flooding.The money reserved for the Senate, more than 12m euros (£9.5m; $15m), would go towards preventing further flooding.
Although the low-lying suburbs of the capital, Dakar, flood during most rainy seasons, this year has seen exceptionally high rainfall across West Africa. It is estimated that thousands of people have been left homeless.Although the low-lying suburbs of the capital, Dakar, flood during most rainy seasons, this year has seen exceptionally high rainfall across West Africa. It is estimated that thousands of people have been left homeless.
Residents were reported to have taken to the streets of the capital to denounce the government for failing to act faster and were dispersed with tear gas.Residents were reported to have taken to the streets of the capital to denounce the government for failing to act faster and were dispersed with tear gas.
President Sall acknowledged the importance of the Senate in a democratic system, but said "the relief of the suffering of the people is more important than the Senate, for us to stop the floods that cyclically affect our country", the Spanish news agency Efe reported.President Sall acknowledged the importance of the Senate in a democratic system, but said "the relief of the suffering of the people is more important than the Senate, for us to stop the floods that cyclically affect our country", the Spanish news agency Efe reported.
In May, the World Bank pledged $55.6m to help Senegal improve its flood defences and storm water management, particularly in Dakar's suburbs.In May, the World Bank pledged $55.6m to help Senegal improve its flood defences and storm water management, particularly in Dakar's suburbs.
The country has been typically held up as an example of a successful African democracy, with an established multi-party system and division of power.The country has been typically held up as an example of a successful African democracy, with an established multi-party system and division of power.