Saturday, June 25, 2011

Protest Portrait From Senegal

"PROTESTS ROIL SENEGAL -- Demonstrators opposed to proposed constitutional changes hurled rocks yesterday at police as they were pushed back from the National Assembly, in central Dakar, Senegal. The crowd was protesting against a proposed law that critics said could benefit Senegal's longtime leader, President Abdoulaye Wade (Boston Globe June 24 2011)."


Related:

"Attempted coup foiled; 15 arrested

DAKAR — The government said it had arrested 15 people and foiled an attempted coup just hours before thousands of antigovernment protesters took to the streets yesterday, but opposition leaders said the accusations were aimed at undercutting the demonstrations.  

The timing SURE DOES STINK, huh?

Senegal’s president of more than a decade said the protests showed the maturity of the West African country’s democracy. President Abdoulaye Wade also said he would be willing to meet with the opposition or even hold a televised debate. The suspects were accused of targeting various sites around Dakar. Luc Sarr, special adviser of the Alliance for the Republic, a member of the lead opposition coalition, said the arrests were unacceptable. “The government wanted to create pressure and a threat so that Senegalese wouldn’t come out and protest today,’’ Sarr said." 


Senegal must be an AmeriKan ally based on the coverage.