Dakar riots at Abdoulaye Wade's Senegal run-off plans

Senegal's riot police have fired tear gas and rubber bullets at thousands of protesters outside parliament, as MPs discuss changes to the constitution.

The protests continued even though President Abdoulaye Wade dropped one of his proposed changes.

He had wanted to reduce the proportion of votes needed to win a presidential election, and avoid a run-off, from more than 50% to 25%.

The bill also creates the elected position of a vice-president.

Government spokesmen Serigne Mbacke Ndiaye said Mr Wade had "listened to the Senegalese people" and abandoned the idea of reducing the threshold to win a presidential election outright to 25%, Reuters news agency reports.

Justice Minister Cheikh Tidiane Sy has reportedly informed MPs about the decision.

'Father's shoulders'

Clouds of tear gas hovered over the square in front of the National Assembly, where lawmakers had gathered.

The city centre was cut off as protesters set fire to vehicles and threw stones at riot police, reports said.

Local reports say that some ruling party MPs were blockaded in their houses to prevent them voting.

There have also been violent protests elsewhere in the city and in other towns in Senegal.

Critics had said the run-off amendment was designed to ensure that Mr Wade, 85, was re-elected next year against a fractured opposition.

Mr Wade first came to power in democratic polls more than a decade ago but he is now facing growing anger at daily electricity cuts and the rising cost of living.

BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says many people also fear that Mr Wade intends to give the post of vice-president to his son Karim, who is already a powerful minister in the current administration.

They say Mr Wade could then step down and hand power to his son.

"We're not against Karim Wade," said protesting student Assane Ndiaye.

"Karim can be a candidate like any other, but he shouldn't be carried into office on his father's shoulders."

The governments says the proposed new post is aimed at reinforcing democracy by sharing power between the president and vice-president.

Riot police also clashed with protesters earlier this week.

The opposition has established a coalition called "Don't Touch My Constitution", while world-famous singer Youssou Ndour has criticised the "abuse of authority".

source : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13887613