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Senegal

Senegal court appeal ruling says 'yes' to Wade, 'no' to N'dour

France says it regrets that not all sides are to be represented in Senegal’s presidential election due 26 February after the Constitutional Council on Sunday upheld its decision to allow the 85-year-old President Aboulaye Wade to seek a third term in office. 

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The Council's decision also barred other candidates from standing in the vote including international music star Youssou N’dour.

“The Consitutional Council in Senegal has just confirmed the list of all candidates for the presidential election,” said foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero. “France regrets that not all political sensitivities could be represented.”

The original ruling on Friday allowing Wade to run sparked deadly weekend riots in one of Africa's most stable nations.

Meanwhile, the country’s opposition has called a rally for Tuesday to pressure Wade to drop his plans.

"The next phase is to get him [Wade] to give up his candidacy," said Socialist Party leader Ousmane Tanor Dieng. A sentiment echoed by the June 23 Movement, M23, which also called for a popular resistance against Wade.

"This is an appeal, a solemn, strong and resolute appeal to engage in resistance. We are ready for all sacrifices," said Amadou Gueye, one of M23’s leaders.

Another anti-Wade movement formed by a group of rappers and calling itself Y'en a Marre (We're Fed Up), has also called for nationwide mobilisation.

The opposition argues that the constitution allows a president to serve only two consecutive terms, but Wade says the law, which was amended in 2008, does not apply retroactively and cannot take into account his previous two terms.

 

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