whatever made up this mess expressed it with the intelligence of conflict, sick-intellect.

Abdoulaye Wade and his son

Much discussion today is focused on the political situation here in Senegal. At the end of February the country will hold presidential elections. This last weekend (Jan 27/28, 2012) saw the announcements of candidacy. The current President Abdoulaye Wade had petitioned for permission to run for a third term in office. Tensions are heightened because the constitution was recently updated to limit presidents to a maximum of two terms. Wade and his supporters claim that since his first term started before this change that the limit does not apply to his first term as president and thus he is eligible for a third. The constitutional council in a decision last Friday, agreed. This is what sparked the violent protests on Friday night.

In my corner of the world, very little of the violence was noticeable. I stayed at home entertaining myself for the weekend with books, movies, and computer games. My experience of the violent protests was totally confined to sending emails to people assuring them that I continue to be safe (and I do).

Dakar protesters, Jan 27, '12 

Today we had another security briefing. More demonstrations are planned for this afternoon. The opposition movement in Senegal, most commonly referred to as M23 (for the June 23 Movement), has called for nationwide demonstrations protesting Wade's candidacy. Senegal generally requires that all public demonstrations be approved before they can take place, and the government has not approved today's protest. The M23 plan to go forward with the demonstration anyway, and this is what causes concern for possible escalation. 

In the northern town of Podor reports are suggesting that Gendarmes (police) opened fire into a crowd of peaceful protesters killing two and injuring others. Concerns on some sides are that this is sanctioned, and a similar response is possible to the demonstration today. On the other hand, there is a concern that due to this show of violence on the part of gendarmes the opposition is more likely to escalate their protest themselves. Either way tensions are high and we've been advised to head home in advance of the start of the protest. 

I left the office a bit earlier than planned so that I could make sure there was enough time for 1 or 2 quick errands. Gendarme presence (in riot gear) on several street corners. And at the gas station at the end of my street a somewhat ragtag group of soldiers are directing traffic (and looking vaguely menacing). An extra bottle of water, 2 baguettes, and a few other staples and I'm home and for the day. 

Hoping for non-violent political protests.




Photo credits:
http://africamix.blog.lemonde.fr/2011/06/24/senegal-abdoulaye-wade-est-il-encore-un-democrate/
http://www.businessday.co.za/Articles/Content.aspx?id=163639