Senegalese police lobbed tear gas at thousands of protesters who amassed in the capital Thursday to oppose proposed changes to the constitution that critics said would benefit the long-time president and his family. Clouds of tear gas enveloped the square in front of the country's parliament, where lawmakers gathered to deliberate the proposals. They included creating the post of vice president and lowering the percentage of votes required for a candidate to win office.
Thursday's protest marks the biggest challenge yet to President Abdoulaye Wade, who has been widely criticised for attempting to run for a third term at the age of 85. If he succeeds in securing a third term, he would be ruling into his 90s, raising the possibility that he could die in office. He has been giving an increasing share of power to his unpopular eldest child, who is widely viewed as unelectable and whose political coalition was trounced in recent municipal elections.
Security forces in riot gear patrolled the streets in an armoured personnel carrier and beat back the crowd with fire hoses Thursday morning. After protesters succeeded in shutting down the capital's downtown district, setting fire to cars and pelting police with bricks and stones, Wade's spokesman went on the radio to say that the ruling party was abandoning the percentage clause.
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