Senegal's Wade unfazed as opposition vows fresh protests

Senegal's opposition on Thursday vowed new protests over President Abdoulaye Wade's bid for a third term as the veteran leader dismissed the deadly tensions as a "normal" pre-election phenomenon.

The June 23 Movement (M23) called for a prayer meeting in central Dakar on Friday for those killed during protests against Wade's controversial candidacy for a third presidential term in February 26 polls.

M23 also urged its supporters to "be ready for peaceful protests to be held across the country in the coming days."

The West has distanced itself from its erstwhile ally amid rising violence in what has long been one of Africa's most stable nations.

But the under-fire octogenarian president on Thursday underscored that "Senegal has a long tradition of elections... and peace has prevailed despite tensions noted by others.

"This situation, given that Senegal is approaching elections, is normal," he said, promising a "free and transparent" ballot.

Peaceful march

UN rights chief Navi Pillay said she was disturbed by reports that police in Senegal had used "excessive force" against anti-government protestors.

M23 protests to force Wade to withdraw his candidacy have descended into riots, leaving four people dead since Friday when the country's highest court said Wade can run despite already having served two terms.

Wade argues he can serve another two seven-year terms from 2012 because a constitutional cap was only introduced in 2008, after his latest re-election.

On Thursday protesters marched peacefully in the northern city of Saint-Louis.

The government has brushed off opposition threats of mass resistance, saying the turnout -- around 10,000, witnesses say -- showed a lack of support.

"A breeze is a light wind which rustles the leaves of a tree, but never becomes a hurricane," Wade said Wednesday during a ceremony in Dakar.

Wade has previously dismissed the opposition's campaign as "temper tantrums."

On Thursday private newspapers headlined with the "desertion" of Wade by Western nations after France and the United States spoke out against his candidacy.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe on Wednesday said the country "wished a generational change could be organised," in the first sign the former colonial master would prefer Wade step down.

International criticism

Following riots in June last year, Juppe warned that Wade's insistence on seeking a third term could "produce the same effects" as seen in Libya, where leader Moamer Kadhafi was overthrown in a popular uprising.

Paris echoed earlier calls from Washington which urged Wade, in office since 2000, to allow power to pass "to the next generation."

UN rights chief Navi Pillay on Thursday joined the chorus of international criticism.

"The country's strong tradition of peaceful, democratic elections could be jeopardised if the authorities mishandle the ongoing protests," she warned in a statement.

Senegal's Foreign Minister Madicke Niang told journalists that while Senegal was open to advice, it would not "take lessons in democracy from anyone."

"The election will not take place... in the United States, nor France, nor anywhere else," he said.

Analysts warn Senegal was ripe for an "African Spring" in the style of uprisings which have spread through the Arab world, if the opposition managed to mobilise.

"The entire world and indeed former leaders in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya grossly under-estimated the power of citizen action... The same attitude from President Wade may just turn out to be his greatest undoing," said David Kode, a Johannesburg-based analyst and West Africa expert.

In bustling Dakar it was business as usual after student clashes with police on Wednesday which followed the death of a fellow student during a rally on Tuesday night. The 32-year-old was run over by a vehicle.

Government appealed in a statement Thursday for "restraint", condemning violence which broke out during the protest.

-AFP