Senegal’s Wade ‘cleared for 3rd term’ as president
Senegal’s President Abdoulaye Wade abandoned constitutional changes that critics said were designed to entrench his rule after street protests erupted in the capital Dakar.
Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade has been cleared to run for a third presidential term.
Wade, 85, has already served two terms. But the country's constitution has been amended since he was last elected.
The Senegalese constitutional court said Friday he can run for a third term in next month's poll. The court listed 14 candidates cleared to run in the Feb. 26 elections.
In its ruling the court barred internationally known singer Youssou N'dour from running in the election.
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The news that Wade can stand for a third term has triggered clashes in Dakar, the BBC reported.
Angered by the decision, protesters threw stones at police, who responded by firing tear gas.
The opposition had earlier warned it would hold protests if Wade was approved to run as a candidate, despite an official ban on demonstrations in the West African nation.
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