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Demonstrator Dead As Senegal Police Crack Down On Protests

Andrew McIntyre |
February 1, 2012 | 12:35 a.m. PST

Executive Producer

Hundreds in Dakar protested against a court ruling that would allow 85-year-old President Abdoulaye Wade to seek a third term, and police intervention resulted in the death of one demonstrator Tuesday.

From The Telegraph:

"The man was run over by the police's armoured-personnel carrier, according to Private radio station RFM. An Associated Press reporter saw the young man fall to the ground after the tank-like truck forced its way through the knot of protesters."

Senegal police denied the incident involved a police vehicle, according to Reuters.

Anti-Wade demonstrators in Paris last year (Creative Commons)
Anti-Wade demonstrators in Paris last year (Creative Commons)

Demonstrators were in Dakar during the day on Tuesday for a planned peaceful protest, but the demonstration turned violent Tuesday night.

From News24 and AP:

"Clouds of tear gas hung over the Colobane, Fass and HLM neighbourhoods of the capital. Burning tires could be seen at regular intervals, as well as overturned market tables. Besides the death of the young man, AP reporters saw four injured civilians, who were taken away on stretchers by emergency responders."

Soon after Wade took office in 2000, Senegal's constitution was revised to limit presidents to two terms.  Wade argues that that revision should not affect him, since he took office prior.



 

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