Senegal braces for protest ahead of key election ruling

Senegal's opposition plans to hold a protest on Friday, stoking fears of violence as the nation braces for a ruling on whether leader Abdoulaye Wade, 85, can seek a disputed third term in office.

On Thursday, opposition political parties announced that they would snub an interior ministry ban on their protests.

The ban was announced on Wednesday evening declaring all public demonstrations illegal for the period of five days.

The move is ostensibly to prevent planned opposition demonstrations on Friday that could eventually culminate in violent confrontation between marchers and the law enforcement agents.

Observers say that the planned demonstrations could degenerate into violence if the Constitutional Council on Friday declares President Abdoulaye Wade eligible for next month’s polls.

For his part, a leading presidential candidate, Mr. Idrissa Seck whose Rewmi party came second in the 2007 polls and a former Premier of President Abdoulaye Wade, called on his supporter to wear black clothes on Friday.

“The black dress will signify mourning for the high-jacked and strangled democratisation process in Senegal,” Mr. Seck said.

Members of the international community have called for calm and respect of human rights, with some observers warning the nation is ripe for violence amid discontent over Wade's insistence on seeking a fresh term.

Crossroads

Former colonial power France on Thursday urged Senegal to ensure the right to free speech and assembly, calling for elections to take place in "a calm atmosphere and in a transparent manner."

"It is up to everyone to prove their responsibility. The future of Senegal is at stake in these elections," foreign ministry deputy spokesman Romain Nadal said in Paris.

Amnesty International's west Africa researcher Salvatore Sagues said: "Senegal is at a crossroads and the potential for destabilisation is huge." Senegal has long been seen as a good example of democracy in Africa, with previous leaders Leopold Sedar Senghor and Abdou Diouf peacefully handing over power, although both served several terms under a previous constitution.