Large EU observer mission heads to Senegal as violence fears grow

A "very large" European Union observer delegation is headed for Senegal to monitor the country's tightly-contested February election, a diplomat has said.

Local radio quoted France's ambassador to Senegal Nicolas Normand as saying that the size of the delegation was a reflection of the political risk seen ahead of the west African country's February 26 election.

"The delegation is very large because there is 'high risk' on the political landscape ahead of the polls," said Mr Normand.

Senegal has been for decades been regarded as a model of democracy in the region and it would be the first time that such a large EU delegation would be posted to the country, he said.

"Such a delegation is not sent to any country where there is no risk,” Mr Normand said.

The diplomat was speaking on Radio Futur Media, Senegal's most popular independent radio station and which is owned by popular musician Youssou N'Dour.

N'Dour last week announced that he was also in the running for the presidency. (Read: Youssou N'Dour enters Senegal's presidential race)

Violence fears

The newly accredited French diplomat said that the country was at the threshold of a high degree of violence following a shooting spree last week in the capital Dakar.

The sporadic exchange of gunfire between alleged ruling party supporters and those of the youthful opposition mayor followed attempts to arrest the mayor together with another prominent opposition politician.

One person was killed while mayor Bathelemy Diaz was eventually arrested, speedily tried and would be imprisoned for manslaughter.

Mr Diaz’s lawyers have since made an appeal but look to have made little headway.

"It is the hope of France and the European Union that Senegal will not to forsake the democratic process which has made the country to be considered as a model in Africa,” Mr Norman said.

The French government two weeks ago urged President Abdoulaye Wade to rescind his decision to run for a controversial third term.

The French foreign ministry further warned that it would begin preventing its citizens from visiting the country due to the brewing political tension