Senegalese authorities on Saturday arrested three opposition candidates in next month’s presidential elections, after police broke up a banned anti-government demonstration, an Agence France-Presse correspondent reported.
Police detained Ousmane Tanor Dieng, secretary general of the former ruling Socialist Party, former prime minister Moustapha Niasse and another opposition party leader, Abdoulaye Bathily.
All three are candidates in presidential elections scheduled for February 25 in which incumbent Abdoulaye Wade (80) is seeking re-election.
About 10 other opposition leaders were also held on Saturday, the correspondent reported.
Police earlier on Saturday used tear gas to break up the demonstration organised by about 20 opposition parties. It had been banned by the authorities who said there was a lack of security.
The rally, which drew hundreds of people, was called to protest, in particular, the postponement of legislative elections that had been scheduled the same date as the presidential polls. ‒ AFP
