Riots broke out Thursday evening in Dakar, Senegal over the president Abdoulaye Wade’s proposal to reduce the percentage of votes needed to win a presidential election to only 25%. In addition to his proposal of a decrease in votes needed to win a presidential election, president Wade has also proposed changes to the countries governmental structure.
Senegal being one of the few African countries to successfully implement democratic elections could be at risk. The new structure would add a vice president post and eliminate the prime minister seat.
Protesters flanked the gates of parliament on Thursday morning. Police dispersed crowds with tear gas, water hoses, and rubber bullets. This did not protesters from being heard. The crowds moved to near by suburbs and towns. Later that Thursday President Abdoulaye Wade removed his proposals to parliament.
President Abdoulaye Wade has held office for more than a decade and citizens of Dakar feared that the new constitutional amendments would institute a monarchy that would be passed down to President Wade’s son Karim Wade. Karim Wade already holds two positions as minister of state and minister of energy.
It seems the voices of the people have been heard this week in Dakar, Senegal.
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