Five million voters in Senegal return to run-off polls, with protests breaking out

Five million voters in Senegal are returning to the run-off polls Sunday, in the face of protests breaking out against the incumbent president's bid for a third term.          

Incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade, who fell short of a majority in the February 26 voting round, now faces former Prime Minister Mackey Sall in a second round of voting.           

President Abdoulaye Wade's decision to seek a third term at the age of 85 has infuriated many Senegalese, some of whom view him as yet another example of a long-serving African leader seeking to hang on to power.          

Violent protests leading up to the election this year have left at least six people dead, and analysts warned of further unrest if Wade wins Sunday's vote.          

Poverty and mass unemployment remain the two main grievances against Wade, despite unprecedented economic growth in this country. Most Senegalese voters still have to battle against rising costs of living, unemployment and frequent power shortages.       

But Wade argues that he has done more than the rival Socialists did in the 40 years they ruled after independence from France in 1960.        

At his last campaign rally in Dakar Friday Wade said, "Poverty has been wiped out of Senegal, but I do not deny that there are some pockets in major cities. I'll take care of it after the elections."       

Wade also argued that the unfinished projects, including the National Theater, an international airport and new expressways, are the reasons he seeks a new term of office.          

His rival Macky Sall, who came second in the first round of voting, pledged to not only complete the unfinished projects but initiate new ones under a new and more transparent system. Sall now has support of the dozen other opposition candidates.         

Sall, 50, is a geologist by training who worked for years under Wade, even leading his 2007 campaign. The two have now, however, had a fallout, subsequently leading Wade to take to describing Sall as an apprentice who has not yet taken in "the lessons of his mentor."            

Sall said that he will establish a party that comprises not only of politicians, but also of "people from civil society groups, and people who are not in politics and who have recognized skills."           

APTN