Violent clashes break out during Senegalese protest against proposed constitutional amendment

Violent clashes break out during Senegalese protest against proposed constitutional amendment

2011-06-24 00:34:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

DAKAR (BNO NEWS) -- Senegalese police on Thursday fired tear gas and water cannon at thousands of protesters demonstrating in the capital against proposed changes to the constitution.

The BBC reported that protesters gathered outside parliament in Dakar as lawmakers discussed the proposed bill, which includes reducing the proportion of votes needed to win a presidential election from 50 percent to 25 percent. It also creates the elected position of a vice-president.

The protests continued even though President Abdoulaye Wade dropped the change of reducing the percentage of votes. According to critics, this change was designed to ensure that Wade, 85, was re-elected next year against a fractured opposition.

BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says many people also fear that Wade intends to give the post of vice-president to his son Karim. The government, however, says the proposed new post is aimed at reinforcing democracy by sharing power between the president and vice-president.

President Wade was elected 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.

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